Side effects and risks of anaesthesia
Anaesthesia is generally very safe, but like any medical treatment, it can have some side effects.
Side effects
After surgery, your child may experience some temporary side effects related to anaesthesia and the procedure.
Side effects are usually mild, short-lived, and can be managed with appropriate care and support from your anaesthetist or doctor.
Side effects could include:
- Post-operative pain or numbness
- Nausea and or vomiting
- Sore throat
- Skin bruising at injection sites
- Temporary behavioural changes (clinginess, fear of strangers or bedwetting)
Rare complications
Children having a routine procedure or surgery have a very low risk of any anaesthetic-related complications both during and after the procedure.
Chest infection
Chest infections appear from vomit coming up from the stomach and going into the lungs. The chance of this occurring is 1 in 5,000 children.
This is the reason why fasting before a procedure or surgery is so important.
Serious allergic reaction
Unknown serious allergic reactions to one of the anaesthesia medicines. The chance of this occurring is 1 in 20,000 children.
Malignant hyperthermia
Malignant hyperthermia is a severe reaction to certain drugs used for anaesthesia, characterised by uncontrolled muscle spasms. Without prompt treatment, severe muscle damage or death are possible.
Anaesthetists are specially trained to recognise and treat this condition.
Malignant hyperthermia is an inherited condition, so children with a family history of malignant hypothermia or who have had an adverse reaction to general anaesthesia (that is thought to be related to this condition) will be assessed at the clinic.
Some muscle disorders, such as muscular dystrophies or exercise-induced muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis), are also associated with this condition.
The testing available for malignant hyperthermia is not suitable as a general screening test for people without a history of this condition who are about to undergo anaesthesia and surgery.