Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 5/16/2007

Question
Is it possible to have an epidural for a TAH-BSO or LAVH instead of general anes.? If so, are there cases where it's not advisable? I am 43 yrs old and I need a hyst...but I am scared to death of general anes. Thank you so much for your answers....Leslie

Answer
It is certainly possible to do the procedure under epidural but the more important question is why you are scared to death of GA. One of my most common questions here is related to fears of awareness, not waking up, etc. I have to tell you that the incidence of these complications is vanishingly rare. While its true that when they do happen, they make it into the media, so people think it is a common event but the incidence is less than 1:500,000. You will be more comfortable with a GA and that is what I would recommend but if you are dead set on it, it can be done under regional.

Ronald Levy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston