Looked for this in previous topics but couldn't find it. My MIL will have to have a lesion on her calf removed. Depending on what type of skin cancer it is (biopsy in two weeks), the doc will determine whether or not it will be removed with local or general anesthesia (if muscle needs to be removed and reconstruction is involved). What are the risks to LBD patients who undergo general anesthesia? What do I tell the docs? I saw a general blurb on the fact sheet. Help! I don't want my MIL to have a major set back. She's having a hard enough time as it is.

There should be a post here about preference being given for spinal blocks or regional blocks over general anesthesia. (Do a search of "regional block" and I'm sure you'll find it.) If general anesthesia is required, I believe the preference is for IV meds and conscious sedation (via Versed, for example) rather than inhaled anesthesia.

Thanks. Just trying to be proactive here and not make assumptions that plastic surgeon knows all this.

My husband had Versed when he had his colonoscopy earlier this year and he did fine with that. Prior to that one, I was pretty ignorant about these things and didn't even ask. Hope the surgery goes well.

If your family member has OH (orthostatic hypotension), that adds another discussion topic to be reviewed with the anesthesiologist.

@Robin - She does have blood pressure issues with sudden drops and passing out, and medication barely helps anymore. I will certainly bring this up at her biopsy appointment. Thanks.

It's critical the anesthesiologist knows about the OH, especially if it's associated with supine hypertension. Fluids are a key concern.

Just found out today that my MIL needs more surgery on her leg to remove the entire skin cancer lesion. This will entail general anesthesia. I have an appointment with the anesthesiologist and I will give him/her a packet with Lewy info. The doctor is prescribing Vicodin for pain. Anyone out there have any experience with this pain drug?

OK. Found some older posts about Vicodin. Doesn't make me feel optimistic. Oy, vey!

I was not familiar with the treatment "versed". Others may be the same so I am showing what I found:

Versed - an injectable form of benzodiazepine (trade name Versed) useful for sedation and for reducing pain during uncomfortable medical procedures
midazolam
benzodiazepine - any of several similar lipophilic amines used as tranquilizers or sedatives or hypnotics or muscle relaxants; chronic use can lead to dependency

DrP

Can they do a spinal block or some other nerve block instead? My husband had to have a growth removed about 14 yr. ago at Mass. General and they blocked the nerves to the affected leg. That way he didn't have to have general anaes. which was great, and he had no pain at all. Recovery time was much shorter. Lynn

My husband did well with Versed for his colonoscopy but it probably wouldn't be adequate for a deep resection of tissue.

When Don had his surgery, the growth went almost to the bone and was about the size of a walnut. He felt nothing and yet didn't need general. Maybe you can ask about this?

When my husband had the squamous-cell carcinoma lesion removed from his vocal cord in January of this year, they also used versed and propofal. He was age 75 then. He came out of it good, but it took several hours to bring him out of it. Then in March he had a polyp removed from the same place on the vocal cord, using the same anesthetics - this one went much faster. Different surgical places and different Anesthesiologists.

I will keep her in my prayers.

Karen

If your MIL can tolerate the Vicodin for pain, go for it. Some can, some can't. The key is starting with a low dose, monitoring closely, and increasing the dose little-by-little.