Is It Safe?

[kookie7116]

I have lung cancer, COPD, asbestosis, and emphysema. Most of my doctors have said that it is dangerous to have surgery because their not sure if they would be able to wake me or that my lungs wouldn't be strong enough to make it through the whole surgery. Is it safe to have surgery or would it be to risky to put me under.

[kitonthemoon]

Read your post....and really feel for you.  Just want to wish you lots luck on getting better, and add you to my prayer list.

Take care.

Jaxkit

[National Jewish Health]

The answer to your question depends on the severity of your pulmonary function impairment, resultant from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asbestosis and emphysema.  They would be able to wake you up but the question is, would you be able to come off respiratory/ventilatory support from the breathing machine?  One would also have to know the extent of the proposed lung cancer surgery; that is, what is the total amount of lung that would be removed and would it be done with a large conventional incision or using video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), a technique that has a much lesser effect on breathing in the post-operative state.  These things, plus your general health, your previous history of recovery from general anesthesia, your age, your degree of incapacitation from your lung diseases and the experience of your doctors operating on and anesthetizing respiratory comprised people.