Risks of Anaesthesia

Australia is one of the safest nations in the world to have a general anaesthetic. However, there are risks (side-effects or complications) associated with anaesthesia, and these depend on many factors including the anaesthesia itself, the type of surgery, any underlying health problems, age of the patient, smoking or being overweight, and the urgency of the procedure. Specific risks vary from patient to patient and you are encouraged at all times to ask questions and to gather information from other sources.

 

Fortunately, serious adverse events are rare. Your anaesthetist takes precautions to minimise or prevent these events.

Some side-effects can be treated, but others are best left to wear off.

 

If you have any concerns about risks, please discuss them with your anaesthetist.

 

Common but less severe side-effects include:

• Nausea and vomiting.

• Sore throat.

• Hoarse voice.

• Dizziness, blurred vision.

• Shivering.

• Headache

• Itching.

• Muscle pain.

• Pain during injection of drugs.

• Pain, infection or injury at the site of injection of anaesthetic medication. This may result in bruising and soreness.

• Confusion or memory loss (particularly in the elderly).

• Drowsiness

 

Uncommon side-effects or complications include:

• Chest infection (especially in smokers).

• Breathing difficulties. (Laryngospasm, Difficult airway, Bronchospasm, Pneumothorax)

• Difficulty passing urine.

• Damage to teeth, lips or tongue.

• Worsening of an existing medical condition.

• Temporary nerve damage – this may result in numbness, pain or loss of function of the affected part. Usually recovers within two to three months.

• Worsening of asthma.

• Plasma cholinesterase deficiency or pseudocholinesterase deficiency (PChD).

• Nosebleed.

 

Rare but very serious complications​

• Awareness (ie. the risk of you being aware of what is going on).

• Heart attack or Stroke.

• Damage to eyes.

• Severe allergy or anaphylaxis.

• Adverse drug reactions.

• Permanent nerve damage or paralysis, resulting in the loss of function of limbs, breathing control, bladder or bowel function.

• Damage to the voice box that may result in permanent voice changes

• Malignant hyperthermia or Malignant hyperpyrexia.

• Blood clots.

• Brain damage.

• Kidney or liver failure.

• Death.

• Infection from blood transfusion by bacteria, hepatitis or HIV/Aids

 

Specific rare risks associated with different types of regional anaesthesia:

• Overdosage of the local anaesthetic used if accidentally injected into a vein.

• Bleeding.

• Infection.

• Prolonged paraesthesia and paralysis.