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General anesthesia - Risks

Risks:

General anesthesia is usually safe for healthy people. The following people may have a higher risk of problems with general anesthesia:

  • People who abuse alcohol or medications
  • People with allergies or a family history of being allergic to medicine
  • People with heart, lung, or kidney problems
  • Smokers

Ask your doctor about these complications:

  • Death (rare)
  • Harm to your vocal cords
  • Heart attack
  • Lung infection
  • Mental confusion (temporary)
  • Stroke
  • Trauma to the teeth or tongue
  • Waking during anesthesia (rare)
  • Reviewed last on: 1/26/2011
  • Shabir Bhimji, MD, PhD, Specializing in General Surgery, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Midland, TX. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Sherwood ER, Williams CG, Prough DS. Anesthesiology principles, pain management, and conscious sedation. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 18.

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The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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