Anaesthesia & surgical complications

General anaesthetic

General anaesthetics are very safe but do unfortunately carry some risks. Accidents under general anaesthesia are extraordinarily rare but can never be completely guarded against. In healthy individuals where deaths have occurred this has usually been due to an unrecognised or unknown heart problem or a severe anaphylactic reaction to anaesthetic agents. These risks must always be kept in perspective and having a general anaesthetic for a fit, healthy individual is probably safer than driving to the hospital.

Other complications which can occur under anaesthesia are chest infections and venous thrombosis or blood clots on the legs. Chest infections are more likely to occur in smokers and if you do smoke and are contemplating a procedure under general anaesthesia it is wise to stop smoking four weeks before surgery.