NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #16/NN_1992_16.iso/spool/sci/med/14173

Internet Message Format | 1992-07-21 | 1.9 KB

Path: sparky!uunet!gatech!pitt!geb
From: [e-mail] (gordon e. banks)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Reasons not to disclose fully
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Date: 21 Jul 92 16:02:39 GMT
References: <[e-mail]>
Sender: [e-mail]
Organization: Decision Systems Laboratory, Univ. of Pittsburgh, PA.
Lines: 28

Re: the Anesthesia "Horror Story"

If you are curious as to what anesthetic is to be used, you
really need to have a visit with the anesthesiologist prior
to meeting in the OR.  They are really quite busy then and
don't like questions which may distract them from monitoring
you and make them afraid that you are going to start arguing
about the medication they've prepared and brought with them to
do your case.  For any serious operation, the preop visit is
a must, and most anesthesiologists are happy to talk about
what is going to happen (within reason) with the anesthesia.
When I had surgery, I talked briefly with the anesthesiologist,
mostly to assure myself that she wouldn't leave my anesthesia
arm abducted long enough to get a brachial plexus palsy.  I
wouldn't have dreamed of expressing preferences for certain drugs.
Although I am a physician, I would be nuts to pit my knowledge
of anesthesia against hers.  Her job was to get me through safely,
and I was not competent to offer any input about the drugs.  As
a layman, I would advise you to pursue the same course.  Your
curiosity about the drugs can be satisfied either before or after
the surgery, but not at the time in the OR when you don't want
to make the anesthetist nervous by asking too many questions.

--
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Gordon Banks  N3JXP      | "Skepticism is the chastity of the intellect, and
[e-mail]   |  it is shameful to surrender it too soon."
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