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You are in good hands, there is no safer place in the world to have an anaesthetic than in Australia

Australian Society of Anaesthetists

Side-effects and Complications of Anaesthesia

 

Anaesthetists in Australia are among the world’s most highly trained and skilled doctors, having spent several years undergoing specialised training in anaesthesia, pain control, airway management and resuscitation, and managing medical emergencies.

 

Modern anaesthetics are very safe. There are some common side effects from the anaesthetic drugs or equipment used which are usually not serious or long lasting. Risk will vary between individuals and will depend on the procedure and anaesthetic technique used. Your anaesthetist will discuss with you the risks that they believe to be more significant for you.

 

Original Copyright with Royal College of Anaesthetists

 

Minor Side-effects and Common Risks

 

Side effects are the effects of drugs or treatments which are unwanted but are generally predictable and expected.

 

Minor side-effects include

 

  • feeling sick and vomiting, sore throat, dizziness and feeling faint, shivering, headache, chest infection, itch, aches and pains including backache.

 

Uncommon risks

 

  • bruising, pain or some injury at the site of injections, temporary breathing difficulties, temporary nerve damage, muscle pains, asthmatic reactions, headaches, the possibility of sensation during the operation (especially with Caesarean section and some emergency procedures), damage to teeth and dental prostheses, lip and tongue injury, temporary difficulty speaking and epileptic seizure.

 

Very rare, more serious complications

 

  • drug reactions (severe allergic or sensitivity reactions); heart attack and stroke; brain damage, kidney or liver failure, lung damage, serious chest infection, paraplegia or quadriplegia, permanent nerve or blood vessel damage, eye injury, damage to the larynx (voice box) and vocal cords, pneumonia and infection from blood transfusion, as well as the possibility of awareness during surgery.

 

Although the possibility of these very rare, more serious complications including death does exist, they are quite remote. The likelihood of a serious allergy to drugs lies at 1 in 10,000, equipment failure, death at 1 in 200,000.