Side Effects of General Anesthesia
Jul 29, 2021
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Ge Weipeng
Introduction
Side effects of general anesthetics are generally uncommon; however, complications associated with general anesthesia do occur. For instance, if a patient undergoing general anesthesia fails to observe preoperative fasting guidelines, intraoperative vomiting, gastroesophageal reflux, and aspiration may occur—potentially threatening the patient’s life. Additionally, if a patient has a preexisting respiratory tract infection prior to general anesthesia, the infection may worsen, and the patient may even fail to wean successfully from mechanical ventilation.
General anesthesia—also referred to as “general anesthetic”—involves suppressing the central nervous system to eliminate pain sensation throughout the entire body. Typically, general anesthesia is induced either by intravenous administration of anesthetic drugs or by inhalation of anesthetic gases, enabling surgical procedures to be performed while the patient is unconscious and pain-free.
Side Effects of General Anesthesia
Side effects from general anesthetic agents are relatively uncommon; however, risks associated with general anesthesia do exist. For instance, if a patient fails to observe preoperative fasting guidelines, intraoperative vomiting, gastroesophageal reflux, and aspiration may occur—potentially threatening the patient’s life. Similarly, patients with preexisting respiratory tract infections may experience worsening of their infection or even failure to wean from mechanical ventilation postoperatively. Therefore, thorough preoperative preparation is essential: optimizing the patient’s physiological condition prior to anesthesia and surgery significantly enhances safety. In contrast, for emergency surgeries where adequate preoperative preparation is not feasible, patient risk—and the likelihood of adverse effects—increases accordingly.
Additional Information: Postoperative Considerations Following General Anesthesia
1. If endotracheal intubation is performed during general anesthesia, patients may experience sore throat or hoarseness. These symptoms typically resolve gradually within 2–3 days.
2. Dizziness, nausea, and vomiting may occur following general anesthesia. These symptoms generally subside as the anesthetic effects wear off. Medical staff will administer antiemetic medications as clinically indicated. Should dizziness or generalized weakness persist, patients should refrain from getting out of bed unassisted to prevent falls or other accidents. Additionally, deep breathing exercises, coughing, and effective expectoration are encouraged postoperatively to help reduce the incidence of complications.
The above outlines the potential side effects of general anesthesia. We hope this information is helpful to you.
