_Information & information sheets

Safety in anaesthesia

Safety in anaesthesia is a major aspect nowadays. Significant incidents and complications are rare in all modern anaesthesia procedures. However: no medical surgery is completely free of risks. The possible risk depends on:

• the age of the patient
• the lifestyle (e.g. consumption of nicotine, alcohol, drugs etc.)
• the presence of an underlying or previous illness and its severity
• the operation itself and its timing (planned or emergency)
• the duration of the surgery (the operation)

Knowledge of these risks is very important for the anaesthetist - and thereby for the safety of the patient. As a result the anaesthetist must know your health condition. In order to do so precise information is needed from you and - depending on the findings - an assessment by your family doctor. It is not just the anaesthetist who is responsible for the success of his/her work, but you the patient also make a large contribution and are thereby co-responsible. In particular make sure you follow the rules of sobriety and our further recommendations.

What is general anaesthesia?

General anaesthesia is a condition similar to deep-sleep.

What occurs when a general anaethetic is administered?

Once an infusion has been attached to the arm or back of the hand, the anaesthetic agent can be injected; the patient then falls asleep in approx. 30 seconds. Breathing usually has to be artificially supported during anaesthesia. At the end of the operation the supply of anaesthetic is interrupted and the patient wakes up within a few minutes.

What are the possible side-effects and complications?

Damage to teeth due to intubation is very rare. Complications such as heart, cardiovascular and breathing failure are also very rare nowadays. The possibility of these complications occurring can be recognised in time by precise monitoring.

How does a local anaesthetic work?

With local anaesthetics the pain perception is only eliminated in the part of the body which is operated on. They include brachial plexus anaesthesia, spinal or peridural anaesthesia and i.v. block.

Are there side-effects and complications for local anaesthesia?

Drops in blood pressure, slowing of the heart rate and sickness can be quickly corrected with suitable medicines; headaches after spinal or peridural anaesthetics can occur 1-2 days later, but disappear quickly after rest.