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 y
