Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 4/11/2011

Question
I had a Davinci hysterectomy on 4/8/2011.  The day after surgery I noticed petechial hemorrhages on my face, particularly around my eyes, along my jawline, behind my ears and at the base of my scalp.  I have had moderate to severe pain at the very base of my skull that radiates upward causing a headache and light sensitivity.  Ibuprofen takes the edge off of the pain and I have been using ice packs at the base of my skull to help with what feels like swelling in the area.  This pain has been greater than my surgical pain.  What is causing this.  I called my surgeon and he feels it may ne related to the "head down" position of the surgery.  Is this a common side effect of this procedure?

Answer
It would be hard to say without seeing it, but it is not out of the question. Depending on how long the procedure was, how steep they put you in head down position, how heavy you are, etc, I guess it is possible that this could exist but I have never seen it or heard of it and we do many procedures with the DaVinci. I would say that if it doesn't get better (or gets worse) that you should be seen by your primary care physician. Otherwise, continue to take the anti-inflammatory meds until it goes away.

Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston