Compensation claims for anaesthetic complications during surgery
All surgery carries the risk of certain types of complications, generally the more invasive and extensive the surgical procedure, the greater the risk of surgical complications.
A patient given a general anaesthetic will be asleep during the operation/procedure and will not feel or remember the operation. Anaesthetic medicines stop the messages from your nerves being recognised by your brain.
Complications of anaesthetic
Complications of general anaesthetic are varied and can be fatal but are rare. However, even a brief anaesthetic carries significant hazard. The times of greatest risk are at induction and recovery. Close monitoring is necessary to detect the level of consciousness and the patient’s ability to breath. Complications can also develop as a result of an allergy to the particular type of anaesthetic used during a surgical procedure.
Some long operations can, in themselves, lead to a reduction in intellectual ability, for example, after major brain or open heart surgery. Elderly patients, particularly those with progressive heart disease, high blood pressure or a history of minor strokes may suffer permanent changes in functional ability after anaesthesia. This may be a result of a change in critical blood supply to certain parts of the brain, altering specific chemicals in the brain. Blood supply to the brain can be altered by a reduction in the amount of carbon dioxide in the blood and by changes in blood pressure. On rare occasions, patients have suffered brain damage due to lack of oxygen delivery to the brain.
How we can help
If a medical professional has failed to exercise due care during the anaesthetic and complications result, you may be able to make a claim against them.
Making a brain injury claim
For free and expert advice on making a medical negligence claim click here or call us free on 0800 0382 382. We are available to take your call twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.
If you want to provide some details to us in advance, why not let us assess your claim now.
