Side Effects of Anesthesia

If you’re having surgery, you most likely will have some type of anesthesia to keep you from feeling pain during the procedure. While anesthesia is very safe, it can cause side effects both during and after the procedure. Most side effects of anesthesia are minor and temporary, though there are some more serious effects to be aware of and prepare for in advance.

Before your surgery, meet with the anesthesia provider to discuss your medical history, health habits and lifestyle. This information will help the anesthesia provider know how you might react to anesthesia and take steps to lower your risk of side effects. This meeting is also a good time for you to ask questions and learn what to expect.

Nausea and vomiting – This very common side effect can occur within the first few hours or days after surgery and can be triggered by a number of factors, such as the medication, motion and the type of surgery.  To lower the risk of nausea we ask that you stay hydrated prior and after surgery by drinking water, Gatorade or other clear liquids.  

Sore throat – The tube that is placed in your throat to help you breathe while you’re unconscious can leave you with a sore throat after it’s removed.  This typically resolves after 2-3 days. 

Postoperative delirium – Confusion when regaining consciousness after surgery is common, but for some people — particularly older patients — the confusion can come and go for about a week. You may feel disoriented and have problems remembering or focusing. This can worsen if you are staying in the hospital for a few days after the procedure, especially in intensive care, because you are in an unfamiliar place. Having a loved one with you helps, along with doing some other simple things: wearing your glasses or hearing aids as soon as you can after the procedure and making sure you have family photos, familiar objects and a clock and calendar in your room.

Muscle aches – The medications used to relax your muscles so a breathing tube can be inserted can cause soreness.  This will improve after a few days and light stretching will help to alleviate. 

Itching – This is a common side effect of narcotics, one type of pain medication sometimes used with general anesthesia.

Headache – This can occur a few days after the procedure if some spinal fluid leaks out when regional anesthetic is delivered through the spine, as in an epidural or spinal block for childbirth or during orthopedic surgery.  If this does occur staying hydrated with water and also caffeinated beverages will help treat the symptoms.  If the headache lasts for more than a few days please contact your anesthesia provider. 

Minor back pain – Soreness can happen at the site where the needle was inserted into the back.

Difficulty urinating – If you were numbed from the waist down, it may be difficult to urinate for after the procedure.

Hematoma – Bleeding beneath the skin can occur where the anesthesia was injected.

More serious but rare complications include:

Nerve damage – Although very rare, nerve damage can occur, causing temporary or permanent pain.

Chills and shivering (hypothermia) – This occurs in up to half of patients as they regain consciousness after surgery, and it might be related to body temperature.

Rarely, general anesthesia can cause more serious complications, including:

Malignant hyperthermia – Some people inherit this serious, potentially deadly reaction to anesthesia that can occur during surgery, causing a quick fever and muscle contractions. If you or your family member has ever had heat stroke or suffered from malignant hyperthermia during a previous surgery, be sure to tell the anesthesia provider.