General Anaesthetic
This page will give you information about a general
anaesthetic. If you have any questions, you should ask your GP or
other relevant health professional.
What is a general anaesthetic?
A general anaesthetic is a combination of drugs that causes deep
sleep. It is used for operations or medical procedures as it causes
a loss of sensation and makes you unaware of what is happening to
you.
How is the anaesthetic given?
Most people are sent to sleep by injecting the drugs through a
drip (small tube) into a vein. It takes about 30 seconds to work.
For some people, it may be more appropriate to go to sleep by
breathing an anaesthetic gas through a face mask. This also takes
about 30 seconds to work.
Are there any alternatives to a general anaesthetic?
Other forms of anaesthetic include injections near the area of
surgery (local anaesthesia) or injections of local anaesthetic near
major nerves or the spinal cord (regional, epidural or spinal
anaesthesia). Local anaesthetics will numb the area to be operated
on but you will be awake or under sedation for the operation.
Is a general anaesthetic safe?
A general anaesthetic is safe for most people.
Your anaesthetist may need to do some tests before the operation
to assess how safe a general anaesthetic is for you. These may
include an ECG, blood tests or lung-function tests.
What complications can happen?
1 Minor complications
- Sickness or feeling sick
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Muscle and back pains
- Dental damage
2 Serious complications
- Loss or change of hearing
- Eye injury
- Nerve injury
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Chest infection and other breathing problems
How will my anaesthetist know that I am really asleep?
The anaesthetist continuously monitors the amount of anaesthetic
in your body and, above certain levels, nobody has ever been shown
to be awake.
How soon will I recover?
A general anaesthetic can affect your judgement and reactions
for the first 24 hours after you have woken up.
If you are fit and maintain a healthy weight, you are more
likely to do well after having a general anaesthetic.
Summary
General anaesthesia is usually a safe and effective way for you
to have your operation. Most people do not have any problems.
Acknowledgements
Author: Dr Iain Moppett DM MRCP FRCA
This document is intended for information purposes only and
should not replace advice that your relevant health professional
would give you.
Copyright © 2008 EIDO Healthcare Limited
The operation and treatment information on this website is
produced by EIDO Healthcare Ltd and is licensed by Ramsay Health
Care UK.
The intellectual property rights to the information belong
exclusively to EIDO Healthcare Limited.
You may not copy, print out, download or otherwise reproduce any
of the information other than for your personal, non-commercial
use.
The information should not replace advice that your relevant
health professional would give you.