Complications and side effects of anesthesia
Against the background of modern technology, anaesthesia and general anaesthesia are very safe procedures. Despite the fact that the normal functioning of the organism is massively interfered with, side effects of anesthesia or even complications are rare overall. Anaesthesia stages
- A frequent side effect after general anesthesia is nausea and vomiting, the so-called PONV (postoperative nausea and vomiting).
Patients who are prone to PONV can be given effective prophylactic medication during the operation
- Allergic reactions to used drugs or their ingredients
- Damage caused by intubation: tooth damage (especially in the case of pre-damaged teeth); hoarseness due to irritation of the vocal folds
- Shivering after anesthesia
- Transfer of stomach contents into the lungs (so-called aspiration). The risk of these dreaded side effects of anaesthesia can be considerably reduced by suitable storage during the induction and faster-acting anaesthetic drugs.
One of the most dangerous side effects of anesthesia is malignant hyperthermia. This clinical picture leads to a genetic predisposition due to frequently used anaesthetics, which makes intensive medical therapy absolutely necessary.
The stabilization of the cardiovascular system is in the foreground here. The frequency is estimated at 1 in 250,000 to 500,000 anaesthetics. Often, the idea of waking up during the operation causes the patient great concern.
The frequency of such intraoperative waking states (awareness) varies from specialty to specialty and varies in the literature with regard to frequency. This is mainly due to the fact that the patient does not necessarily remember the waking state (so-called recall). However, to take away the worry of such a state of alertness: The frequency of alertness with a recall of this state is given as 0.02% to 2%.
In an even lower percentage, these memories are emotionally charged. The number of emotional memories, which are mainly negative in character, is even lower. In summary, side effects caused by the anaesthesia can be considered as low. Nevertheless, it should always be considered whether an anesthesia can be avoided.
