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Preoperative Evaluation/Patient Issues/How long should we wait for surgery if a patient had a URI?

QUESTION:

What is the minimum time we need to wait before delivering anesthesia to pediatric patients after upper respiratory infections?

-- Anonymous

REPLY:

I recommend a month to the surgeons. However, I have broken my own rule, especially when other factors (social, repetitive illness, urgency of case) intervene. The data, as far as I know, say six weeks. However, I find that a very hard sell.

-- From Phil Morgan, MD, Cleveland, OH

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