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Risks
By Mayo Clinic staffMost healthy people don't have any problems with general anesthesia. However, the following factors can increase your risk of complications:
- Medical conditions involving your heart, lungs or kidneys
- Medications, such as aspirin, that can increase bleeding
- Smoking, which increases the likelihood of breathing problems
- Alcohol use, which may predispose you to liver damage
- Family history of adverse reactions to anesthesia
- Food or drug allergies
The following complications are rare and occur more frequently in people who have medical problems, or who are elderly:
- Temporary mental confusion
- Lung infections
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Death
Anesthesia awareness
Estimates vary, but about one or two people in every 1,000 cases may wake up briefly during general anesthesia. In most cases, the person is simply aware of his or her surroundings and doesn't feel any pain. However, some people experience excruciating pain and develop long-term psychological problems.
The following factors appear to make this phenomenon — called anesthesia awareness or unintended intraoperative awareness — more likely:
- Long-term use of anticonvulsants, opiates, tranquilizers or cocaine
- Heart or lung problems
- Daily alcohol use
