Suggest Treatment For Dry Cough Post A Gall Bladder Removal Surgery

Posted on Sun, 11 Dec 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 11 Dec 2016 Answered on

Sat, 31 Dec 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I have elective surgery for gallbladder removal in 4 days. Am getting over a cold, now has turned into a dry cough. Frequent tickle in throat. Is it ok to be put under general anesthesia with a cough/cold? Are there risks associated with this? Such as problems breathing either under anesthesia or after waking up? Please advise what I should do - go ahead with surgery as planned, or request a postponement to alter date when I feel well, totally recovered from cold?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Happykumar Kagathara (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Pre-operative anesthesia evaluation

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I can understand your concern towards impact of symptoms on elective surgery.
1) Your surgery is planned (elective) surgery. Thus you can delay it in case if it require.
2) You are right about your concern of impact of these symptoms on anesthesia recovery.
3) Ideally you should postpone surgery in case of fever, rigor, cough. Also I recommend to consult anesthetic doctor who will be anesthetizing you for surgery as part of pre-operative evaluation.
4) This pre-operative evaluation is must for you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Happykumar Kagathara (10 hours later)

I consulted anesthesiologist when I had cold but before I developed the cough. They said fever would be contraindication for surgery. They also said I wouldn't speak to anesthesiologist on day of surgery before the procedure takes place. If there are any concerns there, the operation would not go ahead. Should I just trust their decision on the day of surgery, even if they say proceeed with surgery despite cough? I meant to write I WOULD speak to anesthesiologist on day of surgery.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Happykumar Kagathara (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Fever + cough may postpone your surgery

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Of course you can rely on his decision on day of surgery.
But they would not operate on you if you had fever + cough on day of surgery.
Even if your symptoms resolve, make sure that you inform about this to them.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Happykumar Kagathara (2 hours later)

What if it is only cough? No fever. Would they go ahead with surgery or postpone?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Happykumar Kagathara (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Can go ahead with cough only

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Only cough would not be indication to postpone the surgery.
But common-cold with fever might cause postponement of surgery.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad