What’s Inside

 

þ Annual Conference           

    Highlights…………….p.1

 

þ Worldwide Polio     

    Eradication Update..p.3

   

þ PPS Medical Update

                                P.4

þ PPSGM Board Changes

                                  P.5

þ Wheelchair Users

    Take Note…………....p.6

Text Box: The Post Polio Support Group of Maine is a private, non-profit 501 [c] (3) organization.  We offer the latest information on the late effects of polio to more than nine hundred polio survivors, their families, and health care providers throughout Northern New England and parts of Canada.  Support for our work comes from donations from the public, from Alpha One, and from a grant furnished by the Pine Tree Society.  For more information, contact us at:

The Post Polio Support Group of Maine
c/o 674 Hallowell-Litchfield Road
West Gardiner, Maine 04345
Phone: (207) 724-3784 
NOW ON THE WORLWIDE WEB:
http://www.ppsgm.org

The Post Polio Support Group

of Maine

Winter 2006-2007

PPSGMText Box: Continued on next pageð

Dr. Selma Calmes, Chair of the Dept. of Anesthesiology at UCLA Medical Center provided important and up-to-date information for polio survivors on both the use of anesthesia and understanding pain.  The wide-spread neural changes in polio survivors appear to get worse as patients age, which can affect anesthesia care.   Her philosophy stresses that it’s not the drug; it’s how it is used. 

 

An important aspect of any medical procedure is for the patient to provide the health professional with his/her medical history and current health issues.  General anesthesia involves having the patient be totally asleep. The use of a regional anesthesia, such as a spinal or epidural, results in part of the body being numb, with the patient either awake or asleep.  Monitored anesthesia care (MAC) is a local anesthetic with the patient awake and with anesthesia staff available for sedation if necessary.  Different types of operations need different types of anesthesia that may vary depending upon the patient’s health and the anesthetist’s preference.

 

             Obstructive sleep apnea is a risk factor necessitating adequate ventilation monitoring.  Other possible surgical effects are regurgitation, delayed awakening, difficulty in recovery of surgical stress, and laryngeal closure.   Complications may arise due to neuro-muscular weaknesses of the patient.  Retractors used during pelvic surgery should not be allowed to press for an extended period on the nerves to lessen chances of leg paralysis or loss of sensation.  Loss of muscle mass and/or scoliosis can create difficulties in the positioning of a patient during surgery.

 

           While surgical procedures involving anesthesia can have some risks for anyone, Dr. Calmes stressed that there are now better neuro-muscular monitoring, better relaxant drugs, and more awareness that patients with any paralysis may need ventilation monitoring.  The current recommendation for muscle relaxants is to start with half the usual dose, adding more as needed, which will accelerate the recovery process.  In addition, avoiding or postponing surgery may be more harmful to your health than any risk from anesthesia. 

           Before undertaking surgery, be sure you are comfortable with your doctors and hospital.  Let it be known what your expectations are.  Generally, outpatient surgery is not recommended for polio survivors if using gen-

 

 

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Annual Conference Highlights...

...yearly gathering is our signature event and continues to provide accurate and timely information to polio survivors, family, and health care providers. This year’s event was held on September 30th in Augusta.

Polio Update