Outpatient Surgery and OSA

[momadams]

On Friday, I had my first "procedure" since starting CPAP. Removal of a ganglion cyst on my thumb (which is why this message will be short!)
I had no idea what to expect, so here's my story in case it helps someone.

I told the scheduler at the surgeon's office that I had questions about sedation because of OSA. He said to bring the machine and leave it in the car, and to talk to the anesth. before the surgery.
The anesthetist didn't have a lot of time for chatting, but said all the right things, so I decided to just trust.

As far as I know, I had minimal amounts of Versed and Fentanyl with a brief burst of something when they did the nerve block - I remember the entire procedure EXCEPT for that.

A small surprise back in recovery - I had to stay an extra 3 hours because of their OSA protocol. Annoying, but I appreciated their conscientousness (thumb hurts- can't spell). Fortunately, the nurses were entertaining and Dear Husb had brought enough work along.

Shari.

[Janknitz]

I think it's nice to know they have an OSA protocol and don't send people home who may still be so drowsy they forget to put their CPAP on.

[brazospearl]

Glad it worked out for you, and I wish you a speedy recovery. I think if I have to go under anesthesia I want my machine with me, not in the car. It is heartening to know there is an OSA protocol, though!

[kteague]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Glad it ended up being an uneventful (though long) day.
Kathy

[base2balls]

Did they have you put oon the cpap during the surgery??? Curious as I may have to have a valve in my heart fixed or some thing, but my sleep Dr told me to besure to tell the Drs any time I have to have any kind of a proceedure done. So I'll be sure to tell them. I've had a ganglion removed from my foot in the early 1980's so I know how painful it is after surgery. Take care. Huggies, Fay

[Slinky]

You are closely monitored during any surgery. It is AFTER the procedure in Recovery where you are at the greatest risk.

[momadams]

I forgot to mention that the "CPAP in the car" comes with "spouse who goes out to get the CPAP if it's needed".
I actually preferred it that way - no sense getting hospital cooties on it unless necessary.

No need for CPAP during surgery . Because I was awake, I was able to watch the anestetist at work, closely monitoring my readouts.
And even in recovery, there was a monitor attached which measured respirations - so sensitive that it even flashed red when I was awake and not having any sort of event.

Hi Kathy. It's been a while. You doing well?

Shari

[Randy32]

i am going in for a double umbilical hernia surgery on jan 11 2011 and i was wondering should i bring my cpap with me?
also of the subject a little i also have MRSA should that concern me while in the OR ?

[Slinky]

By all means, take your CPAP w/you. IF you have family who can watch over it, that would be good. You won't need it during surgery, you are well-monitored by the anesthesiologist during surgery. But - during Recovery is when you could use it and would most need it. While you are well-monitored in Recovery its easier on you to doze in and out w/your CPAP than to have the nurse constantly shaking you and yelling at you to breathe.

MRSA - isn't that the antibiotic-resistant infectious whatever? Is your surgeon aware that you have that? I woud think they would NOT do any surgery except absolutely critical emergency surgery until such time as that infection is cleared up!!

What do I know? I'm just a patient. BUT - the doctors, the whole gaggle of them would sure have to be doing some fast talking that made sense to me and gave me confidence that the surgery could be safely done - or that the surgery was so criticially and emergency needed that I could bring myself to agree to it - if I had that antibiotic resistant infection.

[WestCoastCdnGrl]

By all means, take your CPAP w/you. IF you have family who can watch over it, that would be good. You won't need it during surgery, you are well-monitored by the anesthesiologist during surgery. But - during Recovery is when you could use it and would most need it. While you are well-monitored in Recovery its easier on you to doze in and out w/your CPAP than to have the nurse constantly shaking you and yelling at you to breathe.

MRSA - isn't that the antibiotic-resistant infectious whatever? Is your surgeon aware that you have that? I woud think they would NOT do any surgery except absolutely critical emergency surgery until such time as that infection is cleared up!!

What do I know? I'm just a patient. BUT - the doctors, the whole gaggle of them would sure have to be doing some fast talking that made sense to me and gave me confidence that the surgery could be safely done - or that the surgery was so criticially and emergency needed that I could bring myself to agree to it - if I had that antibiotic resistant infection.

Methicillin Resistence Saphylcocus Aurus is (sadly) becoming more common in the hospital setting (I work behind the scenes in a Canadian hospital and routinely see "MRSA Precautions" written on Doctor's Orders sheets)... there are policies and protocols in place in-hospital to protect the patient, the nursing staff and other patients. You will likely be isolated and you will be monitored to make sure that the MRSA doesn't infect your surgical incisions.

In regards to your CPAP and this week's surgery, by all means please bring it in with you. If the doc in charge of your in-hospital care knows about the CPAP, he/she will also note it in the Doctor's Orders and the respiratory team will likely be around to see you and help you get set up once you're admitted.

[Randy32]

well i did tell the DR i Have MRSA In my leg i am having Hernia surgery my sister said they might keep overnight just to put me on some antibiotics

[DreamLady]

Personally, I would NOT have surgery with a current MRSA infection. Just my opinion. There is too much risk of transferring MRSA from the wound on your leg to your incision post-op. You do NOT want a post-op MRSA infection in a surgical site. My first DH developed MRSA following a surgery (did NOT have it when he went into the hospital as you do), it went into his blood, he developed ARDS, and almost died. He was on a respirator and comatose for 4 days. The aftermath required 4 MONTHS of IV antibiotic therapy and constant monitoring of his blood levels to avoid liver/kidney damage. He then took oral antibiotics for another month or two.

My second DH developed a garden-variety Staph infection two weeks after an arterial graft (leg vein used for his heart). He got very sick, required hospitalization for weeks, and then weeks of packing the wound and IV antibiotics at home. That wasn't pleasant either!

YMMV

[Randy32]

well i had the surgery just got home last night everything went well they ended up keeping on a 24hr admission and was on O2 cause the pain meds made me desaturate and i was glad cause there pain meds were better thanks everyone for your help and concerns