Side-effects, risks and complications
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Your child's anaesthetist will plan the safest anaesthetic for them, and is specially trained for any problems that arise. Anaesthesia is safer now than it has ever been, and is regarded as one of the safest medical interventions. Anaesthesia risks are greatest in the very young, but serious complications can occur in anyone, regardless of age or fitness. A way of thinking about this is considering travelling somewhere in a car. There is always a risk of serious accident or even death on the roads, but we all deem this low enough, and sufficiently unlikely that we go and drive anyway.
Everyone reacts to and tolerates anaesthesia differently. The risks your child faces depends on their health, and the type of operation they are having. The anaesthetist will discuss these with you.
Common side effects
Sore/dry throat, emergence delirium, nausea and vomiting, headache. Most of these can be treated with medication. Your child may have disrupted sleep patterns for a few days afterwards.
Uncommon side effects
Lip/teeth injury (from placing or removing breathing tube).
Very rare complications
Serious allergy to drugs, serious breathing problems, major nerve or brain damage, awareness. People often worry about the risk of awareness during anaesthesia, but fortunately this is rare. When it does happen, it tends to be awareness of sounds only, and in children does not seem to be associated with subsequent psychological problems.