Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 6/5/2007

Question
QUESTION: I had minimally invasive cervical multi-facet nerve ablation last week and have had an extremely sore throat ever since - much more painful than any post-operative discomfort.  Is this due to having neck surgery?  Due to lying on my tummy?  How can I avoid this when I have the last three facet joints done?

ANSWER: You don't mention what kind of anesthesia you had but if it was general endotracheal, then that could be part of the reason. It could also be related to the neck surgery directly (although I don't know how). Lying on your stomach has nothing to do with it.

Ronald Levy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Yes, it was indeed endotracheal and I awoke to find the plastic 'dummy' in my bed - noticed it is made from extremely hard plastic - should they not make these from a soft silicon instead?  I remember them being rubber.  Are we progressing or regressing here?  My uvula is the painful part.  Thanks I appreciate your response.  I would like to avoid it next time at all costs - how?

Answer
You will need the endotracheal tube but you might ask the anesthesiologist to use a smaller size. They are made of silicone but they can't be too soft or they will collapse. They do get softer the longer they are in.


Ronald Levy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston