NetWellness Anesthesia

Local Anesthetic Not Working

Gareth Kantor MD — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 09:11:00 EST

Question: My partner has recently had the snip done. All the way through he felt the whole proceedure. He visited the hospital yesterday and a nurse told him he needed another local anesthetic and he explained he`s always felt pain during no matter what he is having done. She mentioned he may have a synd . . .

Answer: Thanks for the interesting question. The syndrome with hyperextendable joints is probably Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Type III. There are several variants of this condition. There are reports of local anesthetic "resistance" - that is inadequate or incomplete anesthesia, or shorted duration of the effec . . .

Ask an Expert: Gareth Kantor MD, Anesthesia

Could I be Allergic to Anesthesia?

Gareth Kantor MD — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:10:00 EST

Question: Last year I had dobule knee joint replacements. The next several days I experienced consant vomiting, diahrrea, and I ran a temperature between 103 and 104. Fecal, blood, and urine cultures all came back negative. I was told it was probably from the anesthesia. I am now due for a colonoscopy and bec . . .

Answer: Allergic reactions to various drugs used in anesthesia do occur. The typical features of a severe reaction include skin rash, low blood pressure, and difficulty breathing. Anesthestic drugs are either injected intravenously or inhaled; vomiting, diarrhea and fever are not common symptoms of an aller . . .

Ask an Expert: Gareth Kantor MD, Anesthesia

Can Anesthesia Cause My Hair to Fall Out?

Gareth Kantor MD — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 10:10:00 EST

Question: Can anesthesia cause my hair to fall out?

Answer:

Hair loss after surgery is an unusual but not uncommon concern reported to NetWellness. There are two types of hair loss that may occur:

Pressure Alopecia - This form of hair loss after surgery is related to prolonged pressure over an area of the scalp, causing localized loss of hai . . .

Ask an Expert: Gareth Kantor MD, Anesthesia

Orthopedic work on 9 month old

Gareth Kantor MD — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 15:04:00 EST

Question: Hello, I have a 9 month old son with Metatarsus Adductus of the left foot. His Dr. wants to put a long leg cast on him to correct it. In order to do this they say he will need an anesthetic while casting. They say he will not have an IV but will have a MAC. I am wanting to know what drugs are typica . . .

Answer: MAC is monitored anesthesia care, a widely used term but not a particularly useful or descriptive term. See other NetWellness articles on this subject. In fact, all anesthesia is monitored.

It is more accurate to speak of sedation (mild, moderate or deep) and general anesthesia. Often the same . . .

Ask an Expert: Gareth Kantor MD, Anesthesia

Headache on Day 3 After Giving Birth.

Gareth Kantor MD — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 21:03:00 EST

Question:

My foster daughter gave birth 3 days ago, and had an epidural, and still has a headache dispite taking vicodin or ibuprofen. Should she go back to the doctor? Or do we just give it some more time. standing makes it worse, and even the sound of baby crying is making it hurt as well. But she seems . . .

Answer: Thank you for visiting NetWellness. A question similar to yours has been previously addressed. The links below will connect you to that information. NetWellness may also have some general information available that you can access through our Ask an Expert: Gareth Kantor MD, Anesthesia

Anesthesia and Throat Polyps

Gareth Kantor MD — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 05:12:00 EST

Question: What can be done in a case where the patient needs polyps biopsied / removed from the throat but has a breathing problem and the Doctors are hesitant to put her to sleep? A biopsy was attempted, but was aborted since she was not completely asleep and the polyps were interferring with the scope makin . . .

Answer: This type of surgery can be done safely but does require general anesthesia, specialised airway and breathing equipment - including a ventilator (breathing machine), and a surgical/anesthesia team with experience. The team will be able to figure out how to "share" the airway i.e. create a safe passa . . .

Ask an Expert: Gareth Kantor MD, Anesthesia