TVH: Intubation

I have yet to see any discussion on intubation during surgery. IT is done if you have general surgery, that much I do know. I had it done many years ago, and too large a tube was used and my throat was damaged. I AM TERRIFIED of having it done again. Does anyone know anything about intubation and what I can do to ensure I don't run into problems again. Can I run this concern by my Anesthesist and ask for a small tube? Please , if you have any knowledge on this subject, I am all ears.

I was intubated for my surgery but I don't remember any of it. The only thing for me was my throat was very dry and scratchy for the first day.

I would talk to your dr about what happened and also be sure to tell your anesthesiologist about it. Mine came into my preop room, introduced herself, went over my history and asked me questions about any other procedures I had. She also did a brief physical exam.

Talk to the anesthesiologist about your past problems and your concerns. They like a heads up if you had issues before. They talk to you either at a pre op visit, or in the pre op area. You can probably ask for a pre op appt with one, too. It's common to have a sore throat but not actual damage, and I'm sure they want any info from you to help things go well this time. Best wishes for your surgery.

Definitely talk to the anesthesiologist ahead of time! I was intubated for my laparoscopy in August; I mentioned to him that I was worried about the discomfort afterward and he said "I'm very good at what I do" LOL. It was achey for a few hours, but not by much. I think if you voice your concerns, any competent, caring anesthesiologist would be willing to go above and beyond to insure you didn't have such problems again.

I agree with the ladies about telling your anesthesiologist all your concerns and asking all your questions. They usually do this when your under the anesthesia. But I an understand your concerns and do let him or her know of your problems and conerns. I have a tendecy to hypovenlate (?) due to the inability to breath using my stomach muscles. Good luck to you.

I had a TVH 6 weeks ago and was NOT intubated. I had a spinal with sedation and that was plenty for my TVH. Intubation wasn't even given to me as an option. Your anesthesiologist will go over all your options with you, so you will have a chance to express your concerns with your past experience. I highly recommend the spinal with sedation though. It was very easy! Best wishes!

The size tube is based on the size of the patient. The problems can stem more from the actual insertion. Someone with more experience will be able to slide it in with the least amount of trauma. My throat did not hurt after surgery but it felt dry for three days. I kept having the urge to cough to make it feel right. I think it had been a little swollen from the tube irritating it and that it felt better when the little swelling went away.

My throat also did not hurt after this surgery and has never hurt after any of the few other surgeries I have had. I did ask the anesthesiologist before the operation about it and he said it was an individual thing. So some of us will hurt, some of us won't. I think it has to do with the way our throats and mouths are shaped. What I did find though, was that my throat was very dry afterwards and I sipped a lot of fluids. It took a couple of days before the dry feeling went away.