Fear of Surgery
Original Post: I am facing colon surgery soon. I came down with polio in 1954 (at 3 months old) live alone and have never walked. I’m in power chair all the time. Surgery has me scared out of my mind. Will I still be able to take care of myself? The doctor has said that it will be at least a 30 day stay in a rehab. I’m not looking forward to that. I was there for 3 months almost 3 years ago.
Dr. Bruno’s Response: Make sure that the anesthesiologist and the surgeon have a copy of the article Preventing Anesthesia And Surgical Complications In Polio Survivors and Preparing for Surgery. When you download an Anesthesia Warning Card, this article is easily accessed from there. This card was updated in 2023 and has a QR code with easy access for your physician.
You can easily remember:
Propofol is recommended for use at The Post-Polio Institute for anesthesia induction or brief procedures (e.g., cardioversion, colonoscopy). They should use just enough to put you out, not the dose for your weight or their "usual" dose.
Desflurane is recommended if gaseous anesthetic is needed. During surgery, the Desflurane dose should be titrated while brain waves are monitored.
Doctor must write orders to monitor carbon dioxide retention in the recovery room and to provide anti-nausea and pain medications.
Polio survivors' need for anti-nausea meds, a heated blanket in recovery and extra pain medication is described in: Preventing Complications in Polio Survivors Undergoing Anesthesia and Surgery.
For more information, look under the topic “Anesthesia” in the Encyclopedia of Polio and PPS