A Consultant reviewed my CT scan this morning and has booked me in for surgery tomorrow to re-unite a badly fractured scaphoid bone in my left wrist.
First time I've ever gone under the knife and I'm a bit nervous. Should I go for local or general anaesthetic? What questions should I ask the anaesthetist tomorrow to help me decide? Thanks for any help or advice you can give.
Unless they've already told you it's a general, it will be a local. If it's a general anaesthetic you should be on a water-only diet after 9pm until the operation. Or at least that was my experience 6-7 years ago.Originally Posted by Rocket Man
It is usually a regional anaesthesia, with mild sedation. This is detailed enough:
http://sussexhandsurgery.co.uk/downl...0Fractures.pdf
The Consultant said it would be general and that I shouldn't eat anything after 10pm because my surgery will be in the afternoon. But later on the doctor who checked me in said that I could choose local if I wanted and that I should discuss it with the anaesthetist tomorrow.
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Very helpful, thank you!
I had a trapeziectomy and had a regional anaesthetic and nerve block (which helps with pain relief) which worked really well although arm doesn’t feel real for a few hours after.
I'd take the general, thanks. I really don't enjoy being a spectator at any surgery, particularly if I'm on the end of the scalpel (but then I really don't like medical stuff).
I've had day surgery under general in the past, and I found the experience fine (to the extent that you can find any surgical procedure fine).
Dave E
Skating away on the thin ice of a new day
FWIW I had mine done under local, primarily because I didn't want an overnight stay but also it was quite interesting to watch the proceedings. Having said that, the anaesthetist ok'd it and I'd always go with their advice.
R
Ignorance breeds Fear. Fear breeds Hatred. Hatred breeds Ignorance. Break the chain.
I would take a local over a general anyday.
If you are awake you are capable of hearing and they speak to you - if it's a general you are a piece of meat.
Good luck whichever you choose.
B
General anesthesia can have severe side effects
IF you are unlucky
Though you might never know.
A few years ago, coming up to an operation, I found I had developed a real fear of generals. The operation could be done without one, so I was undecided. Talking to the nurse immediately beforehand, I mentioned this. She took a look at what was going to be done and said, you don't want to be around to see that. So one cowardice trumped another, and under I went.
It was discovered during routine screening 5 years ago that I have an abdominal aortic aneurysm. It has been regularly monitored and has given no cause for concern until a year ago, when it had grown 0.6cm in a year so I've been on 3 monthly monitoring since then. In the last quarter it grew a further 0.5cm and has now reached a size where surgical intervention is necessary.
There are two procedures available; up through the femoral artery to insert a stent, which can be done under local anaesthetic and open surgery to remove the aneurysm and replace with a synthetic tube which is carried out under a general. The latter is considered a permanent repair, the former still needs to be monitored.
I had my heart and lung function assessed by an anaesthetist last week and I'm back at the hospital tomorrow to see which procedure is most suitable. Whichever it is, I'll be closed for a while, recovery can be slow.
Eddie
Whole chunks of my life come under the heading "it seemed like a good idea at the time".
Good luck with this and thank God this was spotted, has been monitored, and will be operated upon. And fingers crossed for a speedy recovery.
My late father had an aortic aneurysm he knew absolutely nothing about, and despite no ill health whatsoever died suddenly as a result.
My father had the same thing, out of the blue whilst we were on a family holiday in Menorca. Went to his room with a sore stomach, found him flat out coughing up blood a few hours later. Air lifted to Majorca son espases hospital (told only 10% chance of survival due to current low blood pressure, the local hospital that diagnosed him could not carry out operation but were able to diagnose him VERY quickly), survived the flight, operated on, stent inserted and made full recovery (over time).
Travel insurance paid for the air ambulance (£20,000+) and EHIC card paid for the hospital care, not that costs at the time were even thought of but, NEVER travel without insurance or an EHIC card. Son Espases Doctors were gob smacked he made the flight and survived (he had lost a lot of blood). It's a holiday that will never be forgotten.
I wish you a speedy recovery and am glad it has been spotted early.
My father had the latter. It's a pretty major operation but he was totally fine afterwards, and never had to think about it again, which must be a relief. Good luck for yours.
Last general I had was around 1990, enjoyed the kip and most vivid memory was waking momentarily in a recovery room with a hot young nurse sitting next to me
Always been locals since then, as mentioned sitting watching the action is pretty cool.
Good luck to all, in and out no worries.
Sadly not many of those now (unlike the videos).Last general I had was around 1990, enjoyed the kip and most vivid memory was waking momentarily in a recovery room with a hot young nurse sitting next to me
Best of luck with it tomorrow Eddie, it's a tough choice to make given multiple pros and contras for the each option, the good thing is, it was spotted in time and there is a treatment available for it.
Fas est ab hoste doceri
I’ve had both. Which I would choose (if given the choice) would 100% depend on the type of surgery I’m having.
I had my neck cut open to try and find some glass in there and a vasectomy with a local. Both fine as I couldn’t see what was going on with either.
I’ve also had numerous other surgeries and they were all with a general anaesthetic.
@ Swanbourne Good luck tomorrow.
I have had both and I was really nervous the first time i had a General ! Once you have had one, there is nothing to be worried about, apart from feeling a bit groggy.
I have possibly got to have another operation in a month or so , I am going to see a doctor shortly for consultation.
I had an ulna collateral ligament stitched back on my thumb under a Biers block, they numb your arm with a pneumatic tourniquet and you can’t feel it,weird but awake with no recovery time.
...and I'm back!
Didn't get a choice in the end, they just gave me general. Now I know what it feels like to go 'out like a light'!
Took me a fair while to come round but it wasn't unpleasant. The Medical Director was overseeing the surgery so I knew that I was in safe hands.
I have tramadol for pain management at home, which is also not unpleasant.
After an appointment with the consultant this morning, I'm booked in for open surgery in August.
Eddie
Whole chunks of my life come under the heading "it seemed like a good idea at the time".
I hope it all goes well, wishing you a successful outcome and a speedy recovery.
All the very best with your op and recovery.
Tom
Good to hear you have been monitored closely Eddie. You wouldn’t want this condition to catch you unawares. Wishing you all the best with your surgery and a speedy recovery.
My father had his Aortic Aneurysm repaired via the endovascular route last year and is doing well.
Dave
All the best Eddie
Just wanted to say that the surgeon who treated me at Lewisham Hospital this week was very empathic and respectful. The Medical Director was overseeing the procedure and he came to speak with me beforehand as well. I certainly felt like I was in very safe hands.
Good to hear it went well Jon.
Good luck with yours Eddie.
Hear hear.
Fas est ab hoste doceri
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