Expert: Dr Ian Jackson - please note UK based - 1/8/2007

Question
Hello, I had a health crisis a year ago in which I was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery. I was told I was near death when I arrived (torsed ovary). All I can remember is excruciating pain but I remember nothing after the surgery for an entire three weeks. No memory of even being alive! I don't remember staying in the hospital, leaving the hospital, nothing. Why??? I am getting ready to have another surgery.... a hysterectomy with a bladder tie up. I am wondering will I suffer the same type of amnesia?? Also ever since that last surgery...my ability to remember things (short term memory) has been noticeably impaired. I was also told by my father I was extremely beligerant while on morphine but I remember nothing at all. Can you possibly explain the "whys" of this? Thank you in advance. Sandra USA

Answer
Hi Sandra
It sounds like you had a really tough time when you were admitted and that you were extremely unwell. 3 weeks is a long time for someone to reach a stage when they can remember what is going on. This tells me that you had an extremely serious medical condition that may have led you to having periods of low blood pressure and maybe even times when there was a reduction in the amount of oxygen getting to your brain. This is the type of thing that can lead to problems with short term memory (or even behaviour changes).
On the whole in young people this is not a problem for elective (planned) operations. In the more elderly however it is thought that more than 1 in 3 people have problems with memory or ability to do complicated puzzles following anaesthesia. We have no idea why this should be.
So in summary you should not have further problems but there is a logical explanation for your previous problems.
It is important you mention all this to your anaesthetist when you come for your op so they know about it.
Kind regards
Dr Ian Jackson