General Anaesthesia
What is general anaesthesia?
General anaesthesia is a medical treatment that makes you fully unconscious (asleep) during an operation or procedure.
While you are under general anaesthesia:
- You are not aware of what is happening.
- You do not feel pain.
- You will not remember the procedure.
Anaesthetic drugs are given through a thin plastic tube (cannula) in a vein in your arm and/or by breathing anaesthetic gases. Your anaesthetist stays with you at all times to keep you safe.
Modern general anaesthesia is very safe, especially for people who are otherwise well.
What happens during general anaesthesia?
- You will be connected to monitoring equipment (heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels).
- Anaesthetic medicines will be given to send you to sleep.
- A breathing tube or airway device may be used to support your breathing.
- Your anaesthetist will carefully adjust medicines throughout the operation to keep you safe and asleep.
- Your anaesthetist will give you medicines to keep you comfortable when you wake up after the operation.
What happens after general anaesthesia?
- You will wake up and go to a recovery area with specialist staff looking after you.
- You may feel sleepy, confused, or uncomfortable at first.
- Pain relief and anti-sickness medication will be provided as needed.
What are the common side effects and risks?
Side effects are usually short‑lived and treatable.
Very common (around 1 in 10 people)
Common (around 1 in 100 people)
- Headache.
- Itching.
- Aches, pains or backache.
- Bruising or soreness where injections were given.
What are the less common risks?
Uncommon (around 1 in 1,000 people)
Rare (around 1 in 10,000 people)
What are the very rare but serious risks?
Very serious complications are extremely rare:
These risks vary depending on your overall health and the type of surgery, but serious harm is uncommon, and deaths directly due to anaesthesia are very rare.
What affects my individual risk?
Your personal risk depends on:
- Your general health and medical conditions.
- Your age and fitness.
- The type and length of surgery.
- Whether the procedure is planned or urgent.
Your anaesthetist will explain the risks most relevant to you, so you can make an informed decision.
How is risk reduced?
Your anaesthetic team will:
- Assess you carefully before surgery.
- Use modern equipment to monitor you continuously.
- Adjust your anaesthetic to suit your needs.
- Provide treatment quickly if any problems occur.