Although all forms of anesthesia carry some risk of complications, general anesthesia carries the most risk. Advances in science have improved surgical procedures and anesthesia, however, as with any medical procedure, there are risks involved in the administration of anesthesia. These are some of the common complications that a patient can experience from anesthesia:
Breathing difficulty - patients who have been treated with anesthesia can experience breathing difficulty during and after their procedure. Patients with pre-existing conditions such as sleep apnea may have difficulty regaining consciousness after their procedure, or they may stop breathing during their procedure. Smokers may also suffer this complication from anesthesia.
Postoperative cognitive dysfunction - this is a serious complication from anesthesia most common among elderly patients. It is a state where a patient experiences a decline in their memory or cognitive function after surgery. This condition is well known to anesthesiologists. Patients with some pre-existing conditions like congestive heart failure, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease are more prone to this complication. It is important for an anesthesiologist to carefully assess the patient’s medical history to avoid possible complications.
Malignant hyperthermia - this is a complication from anesthesia drugs that causes the body to react with dangerously high body temperature and muscle spasms. This is a potentially fatal complication from anesthesia.