Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 9/5/2011

Question
I am to have a surgery with general anesthesia on Wednesday. It is a hysterectomy. I have a slight sore throat with no fever or other symptoms. My doc is closed because of labor day. Will I still be able to have the surgery?

Answer
If you don't have a fever or elevated white count, then you can have the surgery. Really, it is up to the surgeon as the risk of surgical infection is higher and he may not want to proceed butcall his office in the morning and let them know if the sore throat is getting better or worse.

Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston