Is local anthestia safe for carpal tunnel surgery when breast feeding?

Should be fine: You probably just need to clarify with your surgeon if they are using a local with Epinephrine or not. In general most local anesthetics should be quite safe in pregnancy and with breast feeding. Even with general anesthesia i usually just have my patients pump extra a few days before, then pump and dump after their surgery for the day.

Level 2 meds: The Lidocaine used for most local anesthesia is a level 2 drug . Studies of use with women undergoing a variety of procedures show it difficult for any infant to receive a toxic amount breastfeeding after a procdure.See: hall t, medications and mothers milk, 17ed, 2012, pp 674-675.

Yes: Local anesthetics will be quickly removed from patient without affecting the breast milk. If there is ever a concern i always suggest to my patients that they express their breast milk after the operation and discard it.

Usually under local: Most carpal tunnel procedures in my locale are done with scopes under local anesthesia, and have at least a 95% successful outcome. There is no anticipation that any of the operative chemicals will affect breast feeding.