What risks does general anesthesia pose?
August 20, 2022 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Felix Herrmann
Dear Doctor,
My name is Martina Engel and I have a surgery coming up where general anesthesia will be performed. I am very worried about the risks associated with general anesthesia and would like to learn more about it.
I have heard that complications such as nausea and vomiting, allergic reactions, cardiovascular problems, respiratory issues, and even nerve damage can occur with general anesthesia. These potential risks are very concerning to me and I wonder how likely it is that I could be affected by such complications.
I also have some pre-existing conditions that may increase the risk of complications during general anesthesia. For example, I have high blood pressure and I also have issues with my thyroid. I am worried that these health problems could affect the anesthesia and wonder if there are specific precautions that should be taken into account for me.
What steps are taken to minimize the risk of complications during general anesthesia? Are there specific tests or examinations that are done to assess my suitability for general anesthesia? Are there alternative anesthesia methods that would be safer in my case?
I would greatly appreciate it if you could provide me with more information about the risks and safety measures of general anesthesia to alleviate my concerns and better prepare me for the upcoming surgery.
Sincerely,
Martina Engel
Dear Mrs. Engel,
Thank you for your message and for trusting in my expertise in the field of anesthesia. It is understandable that you are concerned about the risks of general anesthesia, especially due to your pre-existing conditions such as high blood pressure and thyroid problems. I would like to provide you with more information on this topic to alleviate your concerns and better prepare you for your upcoming surgery.
First and foremost, I want to emphasize that general anesthesia is very safe nowadays and most patients undergo the procedure without complications. However, it is important to be aware of the potential risks and understand how they can be minimized.
Regarding the possible complications you mentioned during general anesthesia, such as nausea and vomiting, allergic reactions, cardiovascular problems, breathing difficulties, and nerve damage, I can say that while these are rare, they should still be taken seriously. The likelihood of you experiencing such complications depends on various factors, including your individual health, pre-existing conditions, and the type of planned procedure. In your case, with high blood pressure and thyroid problems, it is important for these factors to be taken into account when planning the anesthesia.
To minimize the risk of complications during general anesthesia, various tests and examinations are typically done before surgery to assess your suitability for anesthesia. These usually include blood tests, ECG, lung function tests, and additional specific tests depending on your pre-existing conditions. Based on these results, the anesthesiologist can then determine the safest type of anesthesia for you and whether any special precautions need to be taken.
There are also alternative anesthesia methods that may be safer than general anesthesia in some cases. These include regional anesthetics such as spinal or epidural anesthesia, where only a part of the body is numbed. These methods can reduce the risks of general anesthesia in certain cases and are often a good option for patients with pre-existing conditions.
Overall, it is important for you to openly discuss your concerns and pre-existing conditions with your anesthesiologist so that they can create an individualized anesthesia plan for you. Through good communication and thorough preparation, risks can be minimized and your sense of safety can be strengthened.
I hope this information has been helpful to you and I am available for any further questions you may have. I wish you all the best for your upcoming surgery and a smooth recovery.
Best regards,
Felix Herrmann
