My son seems to suffer alot with a bad chest but doctors won’t diagnose asthma, even though they think that’s what it is. He is about to go into hospital for a minor operation but will need an anesthetic and I have been told that if he has a bad chest on the day of the op its going to be cancelled I just want it over and done with for his sake.

A You have already discussed your child’s chest infections with your Doctor and this will be taken into account before he receives his anesthetic. In my experience Anesthetists carry out very careful assessments and are good at erring on the side of caution when there is doubt about something they will use anesthetic drugs that will not affect his breathing. It is a difficult time for you and cancellation is always a disappointment but all children who have moderate or severe respiratory infections are deemed not fit for surgery. If this happens you will be disappointed but try to adopt a positive attitude and look at it from a safety point of view and the fact that there are certain things in life we have no control over. Take care and good luck with the operation.

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