Prostate Surgery

[hinx]

Dr.Heinrik,
I am scheduled for Robotic Surgery Feb.25th and I don't mind saying that I am really concerned about being anesthetized.I have never been a patient in a hospital and thus have never been anesthetized.My greatest fear seems to be the surgery not the cancer.How much would the following conditions affect the surgery.
1.DVT-right calf after having my leg casted for three months.This was May 1986.No problems since .
2.Mild aortic stenosis.
3.Mildly thickened leaflets of mitral valve.Mild mitral regurgitation.

[HeinrikMD]

Hello again,
Prostate procedures are pretty common, hence the experience by anesthesiologists is very large.
The final plan for exactly what kind of anesthesia will be used would be discussed with you by the anesthesiologist. If it involves the regional kind (this means anesthesia will be delivered through the spine at the lower back), some patients become anxious when they regain consciousness and realize that they can't move their legs- this is part of coming out of the anesthesia - not everything returns at the same time.

[hinx]

Thanks very much for your reply.Can you give me any encouraging words regarding being anesthetized for the first time?

[HeinrikMD]

Hi,
DVT - was this ever symptomatic? I'm thinking it wasn't because you would have been required to take some medications for a prolonged period, perhaps months. If it was way back in 1986 - unless you've been sedentary, it shouldn't be a problem now.
Aortic stenosis - if you have no problems with blood pressure, or symptoms of fainting or near fainting spells, this wouldn't be an issue. The description "mild" likely refers to early changes - it may produce some problems in the next 5 to 10 years, best watch your blood pressure.
Mitral regurgitation - not likely a player. There are some surgeries which are deemed "dirty" in the sense that areas that involve passage of feces (Like colon/intestinal surgery) would require antibiotics. Some doctors give some antibiotics as prophylaxis when there are heart valve issues - but as I said, prostate surgery shouldn't be too risky where this heart valve infection is concerned.