Anaesthetists are doctors who:
Some types of anaesthesia
Anaesthesia stops you feeling pain and other sensations. It can be given in various ways and does not always make you unconscious.
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Local anaesthesia (LA) involves injections which numb a small part of your body. You stay conscious but free from pain.
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Regional anaesthesia (RA) involves injections which numb a larger or deeper part of the body. You stay conscious but free from pain.
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General anaesthesia (GA) gives a state of controlled unconsciousness. It is essential for some operations. You are unconscious and feel nothing.
Combinations of anaesthetics are often used e.g. GA plus LA.
Anaesthetic risk
People vary in how they interpret words and numbers. This scale is provided to help you understand definitions of risk.
Anaesthetic risk
Risk |
Very Common |
Common |
Uncommon |
Rare |
Very Rare |
Number |
1 in 10 |
1 in 100 |
1 in 1000 |
1 in 10,000 |
1 in 100,000 |
Side Effects and Complications
RA = This may occur with a regional or local anaesthetic
GA =This may occur with a general anaesthetic
Very common and common side effects (1 in 10 - 100)
RA GA Feeling sick and vomiting after surgery
GA Sore throat
RA GA Dizziness, blurred vision
RA GA Headache
RA GA Itching
RA GA Aches, pains and backache
RA GA Pain during injection of drugs
RA GA Bruising and soreness
GA Temporary confusion or memory loss
Uncommon side effects and complications (1 in 1000)
GA Chest infection
RA GA Bladder problems
GA Muscle pains
RA GA Slow breathing (depressed respiration)
GA Damage to teeth, lips or tongue
RA GA An existing medical condition getting worse
GA Awareness (becoming conscious during your operation)
Rare or very rare complications (1 in 10,000 - 100,000)
GA Damage to the eyes
RA GA Serious allergy to drugs
RA GA Nerve damage
RA GA Equipment failure
Deaths caused by anaesthesia are very rare and are usually caused by a combination of 4 or 5 complications together.
There are probably about five deaths for every million anaesthetics in the UK.
You can get further information about Anaesthesia from:
The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland (AAGBI)
Royal College of Anaesthetists