Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 9/19/2007

Question
Hi Dr. Levy,
My mother (age 92) had a bowel resection early this year for colorectal cancer, and has had a colostomy since then. Her doctor thinks she is a good candidate to reverse the colostomy (which we all would love!). The problem is that the general anesthesia totally messed her up for weeks after her last surgery. Are there better types of anesthesia with less side effects for very elderly people? Is conscious sedation w/ local anesthesia or epidural an option for this type of surgery? We'd love Mom to be "whole" again, yet are fearful of the anesthesia more than the surgical procedure.
Thank you!
Carrie

Answer
In general, these procedures can be done under local, epidural or spinal (Assuming your mom meets all the criteria to have that done safely). Speak with your anesthesiologist before surgery and ask him whether that would be an option for her.

Good Luck,

Ronald Levy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston