HCV and surgery

[sljl]

Does anyone know of any cautions one with HCV should note with minor surgery?

[sljl]

Thank you so much.  My liver is stage 2 Fibrosis and the minor surgery is on my foot correcting a toe bone that is pushing through the bottom of my foot causing much pain walking.  I did tell the doctor I had HCV but don't know how aware he will be in post surgical monitoring.  I'll call his office Monday and ask. Thanks again.

[ceanothus]

It depends on the condition of your liver. It is really important that your surgical team be fully aware of your status so they can make any needed adjustments. If your liver is at stage 3 or less there will probably be no adjustments necessary. At stage 4 there might be, or maybe not, but the liver condition certainly needs to be included in the list of items considered prior to surgery. My own personal experience has included a number of surgeries, both minor and very major, and I think the only change has been more careful monitoring post-surgery. After the very major surgery my liver did go into a bad reaction, with spikes in bilirubin for a week or so and markedly slower clearing of anesthetics and pain meds. The minor surgeries had no discernible effect. Make sure everyone knows what is going on and you will probably be fine if it is minor. On Monday of this week I had joint replacement surgery on my right thumb and had no liver complications at all. (I've been stage 4 cirrhotic since 2004, but cured of HCV since last March.)