HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

What Causes Drop In Blood Pressure Level After Hernia Operation?

Posted on Mon, 2 Mar 2015

Question: Hernia operation performed. I was later informed that while in recovery my blood pressure dropped to dangerously low levels and my breathing rate became very low, and I was as white as the bedsheet. Requiring the recovery staff to issue 'code blue'. It took four hours for my blood pressure to be stabilised. Normally my blood pressure is almost perfect at 118/75. I do not know what my status was during the operation.
I am concerned for any possible future medical operations I may face. Should I be concerned and seek for full medical disclosure. Should I ask details of the drugs used etc.

Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
hypotension can occasionally be seen in recovery phase

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to Healthcaremagic
Greetings of the day
Dear Sir

Sometimes during the recovery from anaesthesia there could be drop in blood pressure. It could be due to several factors

1. Spinal anaesthesia causing sympathetic blockade. This leads on to decreased tone of blood vessels leading to fall in blood pressure.

2. Decreased venous return leading to pooling of blood in lower limb causing decreased blood pressure.

As your previous blood pressure has always been normal there is no cause for concern. Do provide me following additional information

1. What was the type of anaesthesia used ?

2. What was duration of Surgery ?

3. Do you have any prexisting illness

Awaiting your response

Take care

Best regards
Dr Deepak Kaltari
Consultant Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (21 hours later)

Thank you for your response.
In addition
The operation was an inguinal hernia on both left & right
The anaesthesia used was a general one.
Duration was between 0.5-1.0 hrs
Only other condition is three stents in heart ( 5 years ago) and the use of 'Cartia' blood thinners and 'Crestor' 80mg

Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No further intervention required

Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir

Recovery from general anaesthesia can also lead to hypotension due to decreased muscle tone leading to pooling of blood in lower limb.

As your preanesthetic evaluation was normal , no further intervention is required. In case you happen to undergo any surgery in the future , kindly bring it to the notice of Surgeon and anaesthetist this incidence.

Rest be assured there is no cause for concern.

Take care

Best regards
Dr Deepak

Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari