Mum Requires Polyp Removal - Advice?
Discussion
Basically, my Mum is going in for a routine procedure to have a polyp on the womb removed. This isn't the first time. However the main concern is that the first removal was done under anaesthetic, whereas the Consultant has recommended this removal to be done with just pain killers one hour before the procedure. Is this right?
My Mum is obviously worried that there will be pain during the procedure, which is then a little bit late! The question is, considering where the polyp is located, is this likely to be very painful? Will pain killers provide sufficient relief? Is it worth going private? My Mum is happy to do this, if only for peace of mind.
Cheers!
My Mum is obviously worried that there will be pain during the procedure, which is then a little bit late! The question is, considering where the polyp is located, is this likely to be very painful? Will pain killers provide sufficient relief? Is it worth going private? My Mum is happy to do this, if only for peace of mind.
Cheers!
Thanks for the reply - My Mum believes the reasoning behind this is due to budget cuts. If anaesthetic is used, she will need stay in hospital for hours and will require a bed. As you say, painkillers means that she is out the door within the hour! She posed this to the consultant this, who denied it was down to the costs incurred by the NHS. He seemed happy that painkillers would do the trick, even if going private ...
She is obviously incredibly worried and is stressed about the entire procedure because of this. I said to go private, just for the peace of mind. I guess by going private, she would have more chance of receiving anaesthetic if requested?
She is obviously incredibly worried and is stressed about the entire procedure because of this. I said to go private, just for the peace of mind. I guess by going private, she would have more chance of receiving anaesthetic if requested?
In my experience it really won't be a budget decision. The consultants just aren't that worried about that side of things - they just want safe surgeries and well patients. It is more likely that she'll have more choice going private (although as anaesthetic has real risk associated I wouldn't expect anyone to agree to do it if it really was unnecessary) - but her NHS surgeon will probably be willing to discuss it further too.
This ^.
Most surgeons that i've met have considered invasive surgery to always be a last resort, same with a general anaesthetic. Carries more of a risk, they'll always head for the minimal risk option which is usually the quicker option for a patient aswell as they probably don't want to be in hospital any longer than needed.
Most surgeons that i've met have considered invasive surgery to always be a last resort, same with a general anaesthetic. Carries more of a risk, they'll always head for the minimal risk option which is usually the quicker option for a patient aswell as they probably don't want to be in hospital any longer than needed.
Going private is not the best thing, it's a way to get money from the medically ignorant, £150 for 15 minutes - keep it coming.
When you say polyp is it a fibroid or a uterine polyp?
The inner layer of the uterus doesn't have nerve endings and polyps can be safely removed without gassing - it's safer then anaesthesia in the right hands.
If there is a way to avoid anaesthesia then I would recommend that route.
Check on Dr foster to see if the OBS/GYN surgeon is listed and how he/she fairs and what their true subspeciality is.
When you say polyp is it a fibroid or a uterine polyp?
The inner layer of the uterus doesn't have nerve endings and polyps can be safely removed without gassing - it's safer then anaesthesia in the right hands.
If there is a way to avoid anaesthesia then I would recommend that route.
Check on Dr foster to see if the OBS/GYN surgeon is listed and how he/she fairs and what their true subspeciality is.
As a rule, if you can carry out a procedure without general anaesthesia, you should. This has absolutely nothing to do with cost cutting, but is simply because GA's are potentially very dangerous. Like many things, modern healthcare has made them extremely safe (so the general public assume when we don't want to do one it must be to save money), but in rare occurrences things still go wrong. As a happy coincidence, doing the procedure under local anaesthesia is also cheaper for the NHS - but that is NEVER why it would be recommended. Contrary to what many think the vast majority of Doctors are really only interested in doing what is best for their patient. If your mum has had children born vaginally, i.e.. not by c-section, then the procedure should be fairly straight forward as it is easier to get through the cervix, and not too painful. Most women tolerate a hysteroscopy and polypectomy with local anaesthesia very well. If it is difficult or too painful, the medical team will stop and re-book her to have it done under GA.
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