Informed Consent for Anesthesia

Anesthesia is essential for surgery and procedures, allowing you to be comfortable and pain-free. While modern anesthesia is very safe, it's important to understand the types, benefits, and potential risks before your procedure.

Types of Anesthesia:

• General Anesthesia - You are completely unconscious and unaware during the procedure. A breathing tube or airway device is typically used.
• Regional Anesthesia - Numbs a large part of the body (e.g., spinal or epidural for lower body surgery).
• Local Anesthesia - Numbs only a small area where the procedure will be performed.
• Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC) - Sedation with local anesthesia, allowing you to be relaxed or lightly asleep.

Most patients experience minor, temporary side effects from anesthesia:

• Nausea and Vomiting - Occurs in 20-30% of patients. Anti-nausea medications can be given.
• Sore Throat - From the breathing tube (general anesthesia). Usually resolves within 48 hours.
• Drowsiness and Confusion - Common immediately after anesthesia, typically clears within hours.
• Shivering - Body temperature regulation is affected; warming measures are used.
• Muscle Aches - May occur after certain muscle relaxants are used.

Serious complications from anesthesia are rare in healthy patients. Risk increases with emergency surgery, significant medical conditions, and advanced age:

• Aspiration - Stomach contents entering the lungs (1 in 2,000-3,000 cases). We take precautions including fasting guidelines.
• Dental Damage - Rare injury to teeth during airway management (1 in 4,500). Pre-existing dental issues increase risk.
• Allergic Reactions - Severe reactions to anesthesia drugs are extremely rare (1 in 10,000-20,000).
• Awareness Under Anesthesia - Becoming conscious during surgery (1 in 19,000 for general surgery, higher for cardiac/trauma).
• Nerve Damage - From positioning or regional anesthesia (typically temporary; permanent injury is rare).
• Cardiovascular Complications - Heart attack or stroke (risk depends on pre-existing conditions and surgery type).
• Death - Extremely rare in healthy patients (approximately 1 in 100,000-200,000). Risk is higher with emergency surgery and significant medical conditions.

• Malignant Hyperthermia - A rare genetic condition triggered by certain anesthetics (1 in 50,000-100,000). Inform your anesthesiologist of any family history.
• Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction - Temporary confusion or memory issues, more common in elderly patients. Usually improves over weeks to months.
• Pregnancy - Inform your anesthesiologist if you are or might be pregnant, as some medications may affect the fetus.
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea - Increases risk of airway complications. CPAP machines should be brought to the hospital.