Common complications

Nausea and Vomiting

By far, this is the most common complication after receiving an anaesthetic. It doesn’t happen to everyone, and it affects some people more than others. It is more likely if you:

• Are a woman
• Are under 40 years old
• Have motion sickness
• Have had nausea and vomiting after surgery before
• Are having a general anaesthetic
• Need large amounts of drugs for pain relief
• Are having abdominal, gynaecological or ENT surgery

Unfortunately, most of these things cannot be changed. However, there are many things I can do to prevent or, at least, minimise this common complication or side effect: anaesthetic technique, drug choice, drugs to reduce nausea (antiemetics), among others.

It is important that you let me know if you have suffered with nausea and vomiting post-anaesthetic in the past.

Sore Throat

When under general anaesthesia, it is necessary to place a breathing device in your throat (larynx) to allow you to breath properly throughout your surgery. This can be a tube in your wind pipe (trachea) or a rubber mask (laryngeal mask) in the back of your throat. This happens after you are asleep. I will always take all due care and be as gentle as possible, however, unfortunately, many patients experience some degree of throat discomfort post-surgery. This usually lasts a few hours and is relieved with simple pain relief (analgesia).

Damage to Teeth

Although less common, this complication can be devastating to many.

When under general anaesthesia, I have to place a breathing device in your throat (larynx) to allow you to breath properly throughout your surgery. Sometimes, this needs to be a tube in your wind pipe (trachea) and I utilise an instrument in your mouth (laryngoscope) to see your vocal cords. There have been many cases in the world where this device has chipped a tooth. Most commonly, this happens in patients that already have unhealthy teeth, however it can still occur to anyone.

I will always take the utmost care in avoiding this complication.

Confusion and Memory Loss

After a general anaesthesia elderly patients may experience a degree of confusion and/or memory loss. It can last from a few hours to months or years. Scientific evidence has taught us that certain factors predispose this: age, cardiac and respiratory disease, pre-existing neurological deficits, type of surgery, bleeding, among others. I can’t change many of these risk factors, however, I can ensure that your brain will be receiving adequate amounts of oxygen and blood pressure to prevent this complication as far as possible.

Allergic Reaction

During your anaesthesia, especially general anaesthesia, I will be administering numerous drugs (to put you off to sleep, muscle relaxants, pain killers, antibiotics, to name a few). Any of these drugs can cause an allergic reaction, even if you have had them before. The reaction can vary from a mild rash and itchiness to a severe anaphylactic reaction, which can be life threatening. Anaphylaxis is a serious complication and there is no better place for it to occur than an operating theatre, where you will be fully monitored and I am highly trained to deal with this situation.

It is very important that you inform me if you suffer from any drug allergies.