A to Z of MS Anaesthesia and surgery

Studies have failed to find any connection between anaesthesia and an increased risk of relapse or a worsening of multiple sclerosis symptoms. As a result, for the majority of people with MS, there is no need to avoid anaesthesia when required, including epidural anaesthesia during childbirth.

The NICE Guideline for the management of MS, which was developed after an extensive review of published research, states "people with MS should be encouraged to have any surgery they need, using whichever anaesthetic technique is appropriate. There is no known increase in the risk of relapse."

The potential exception is people with severe, advanced MS, who may be seriously weakened or have respiratory problems that would put them at greater risk for anaesthetic complications.

References

Sibley WA, et al.
A prospective study of physical trauma and multiple sclerosis.
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry 1991;54(7):584-589.
abstract

National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)
Management of multiple sclerosis in primary and secondary care
London: NICE; 2003.
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