Hi All
Has anyone had a general anaesthetic with bronchiectasis? I have to have some surgery on my face including the corner of my eye and my respiratory specialist says it would be a bad idea to have a general anaesthetic because of possible chest infection and lung damage. I admit that the thought of having this with a local anaesthetic scares me considerably. Any thoughts?
I haven’t got bronchiectasis , but last year I had surgery near my eye and a skin graft under local anaesthetic . I had a suspect lesion removed
I have COPD and asthma . Took my inhaler with me .
A nurse held my hand when the local was injected , then couldn’t feel anything .
I need a further op , but eye surgeon has left and it means travelling to another hospital .
I suffer from anxiety , but managed OK .
A lesion was found at the back of my husbands ear, after biopsy it was found to be cancer. He had the lesion removed under local anaesthetic. Six weeks later he had to have his ear removed. A few weeks later metal rods placed into back of his ear so that a new ear could be fitted. All this was done under local. A lot of ops are now carried out without a general anaesthetic even if they do not have lung problems.
So sorry to hear of your husbands problems Clematis and hope he has fully recovered now x
I had a growth on my tongue removed and it was local anaesthetic. Consultant has discussed repairing my hiatus hernia but are concerned about giving me a general anaesthetic. I also have asthma and bronchietasis Getting the growth removed after the jag I felt nothing .
I have asthma and bronchiectasis (and had part of my right lung removed as a baby). I have had general anaesthetic a few times. Latest was 5 years ago, for a FESS operation, ie sinus surgery.
Would say that both my asthma and bronchiectasis are well controlled and I haven’t had any flare ups the last 3 years.
(Partially thanks to the sinus surgery!)
Good luck whatever you choose !
/Eva
I have very severe copd and bronchiectasis and following my diagnosis I had three major abdominal surgeries under general anaesthetics. The anaesthetists were cautiously optimistic and very careful, insisting an itu bed was available after each one. There were some cancellations but each one completed successfully, the last during covid, with no lung issues at all. Good luck.
I have been in hospital for nine weeks and have had surgery with a general anaesthetic twice in this time. I have Bronchiectasis, among other issues, and didn’t have any lung issues.
Hi there. I had general anaesthetic last month for a rigid cystoscopy procedure. All was well. I was given a course of antibiotics straight afterwards. I have Bronchiectasis and was diagnosed in 2010. I do cough a lot when lying down too. The anaesthetist and surgeon were all fully aware of this. Best wishes for your surgery.
I had an operation on my hand with a local and two other surgeries to my foot with spinal. I wouldn't want a general if avoidable for the reasons you state. I have bronch and asthma. You will be fine I'm sure.
I have bronchiectasis and had two operations in one year with general anaesthetic with no problems. I have had a few problems with my eyes and they dont seem keen on giving a G.A. I had holes put in my eyes with laser and was fine. It is better to go without a G.A. if you can , good luck x
Hi Knitter
I've just recently had sinus operation and I had to have a general anaesthetic and I suffer from bronchiestasis,I've had surgery twice on them in the last 3 years and I've been fine under the anaesthetic,I do know it's not straight forward with bronchiestasis so the risk assessment team will be looking hard into your medical history
I have Bronchiectasis and an autoimmune disease. I’ve had a few anaesthetics. My last one for a sinus op they were more worried about the infection that I had at the time. Good luck with your op.
Hi I have mild Bronchiectasis & Asthma. I’ve recently had surgery on both feet & was rather stressed as previous surgery had gone wrong & this was a partial amputation because of that. They said Local anaesthetic would be best so I asked for sedation & I can honestly say I wasn’t aware of anything at all till I woke in recovery. They may however need you awake to move into certain positions or similar. I’m not sure. Good luck x
Hi Shonkie to me this is a no brainer. I don;t have Bronchiectasis but I have COPD and heart problems.
I have bladder cancer and I am not risking being put under, when I have a Cystoscopy - I have a Spinal done (local anaesthetic )
In short I think your respiratory specialist advised you well.
You would not need a spinal but I have had ops under local anaesthetic and was easy, nothing to fear about,
Hi Shonkie, Good luck whatever you and your medical team decide. It sounds really scary. I can't help except to say that my husband, whose breathing is not brilliant, had a circumcision op earlier this year under a general with no ill effects.
I had a general anaesthetic when I had my bunion op. I had to have it done at our main hospital (not the Horder Centre where I was referred to originally) as they wanted total emergency backup in place as I have chronic asthma with fixed airways disease and bronchiectasis. I had a long consultation with the anaesthetist who agreed it was safe to go ahead.
No problem with either the anaesthetic or the bunion op!
My husband recently had a lesion removed from his cheek under local anaesthetic. He said he didn't feel a thing.
Best wishes to you, whichever way the op is done. Hope all goes well. Xx Moy
I have had Bronchiectasis for over 20 years now and had two surgeries during that time with general. Both times I was monitored, given antibiotics before the op to take and after just ss a precaution. One consultant even took me straight into ICU as a precaution for 24 hours but I don't think many would do that now.
I think you should get a second opinion and speak to someone whose expertise is lungs, particularly Bronchiectasis.
I wish you well and speedy recovery should you decide to go ahead with the surgery.
Take good care 💐
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