Can anesthesia lead to long-term damage?
August 6, 2023 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Babette Köhler
Dear Doctor,
My name is Norbert Schäfer and I have a question regarding possible long-term effects of anesthesia. My wife will need surgery soon and we are unsure if anesthesia carries risks that could lead to long-term health problems.
We have heard that complications such as memory loss, cognitive impairments, or even neurological disorders can occur, which are associated with the administration of anesthetics. This information has greatly concerned us and we want to ensure that we are well informed before my wife undergoes the operation.
Could you please explain to us if and to what extent anesthesia can potentially lead to long-term effects? Are there specific risk factors that should be taken into consideration? And what measures can be taken to minimize the risk of complications during and after the surgery?
We want to ensure that my wife receives the best possible medical care and are therefore grateful for any information you can provide on this subject.
Thank you in advance for your help and support.
Sincerely,
Norbert Schäfer
Dear Mr. Schäfer,
Thank you for your question regarding possible long-term effects of anesthesia. It is important that you are well informed before your wife undergoes surgery, and I will do my best to address your concerns.
First and foremost, I want to emphasize that modern anesthesia techniques nowadays are very safe and the risk of long-term damage from anesthesia is extremely low. However, there are some potential risks that should be taken into consideration.
In terms of memory loss and cognitive impairments after anesthesia, there are indeed some studies suggesting that older patients have a slightly increased risk of developing these issues. This is known as postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) and may occur temporarily, but usually disappears within a few weeks or months after surgery. However, there is no clear evidence that anesthesia directly causes these long-term damages.
Regarding neurological disorders after anesthesia, there are some rare cases of anesthesia-related neurological problems, such as Malignant Hyperthermia Syndrome. However, this is extremely rare and only occurs in a very small number of patients.
To minimize the risk of complications during and after surgery, it is important for your wife to have a detailed discussion with the anesthesiologist before the operation to discuss any potential risk factors. The anesthesiologist will also take into account all relevant medical information of the patient to plan the safest anesthesia for her.
In summary, the risk of long-term damage from anesthesia is extremely low and modern anesthesia techniques are very safe. It is important for your wife to discuss all questions and concerns with her anesthesiologist before the operation to ensure she receives the best possible medical care.
I hope I was able to answer your questions thoroughly and I am available at any time for further information.
Best regards,
Babette Köhler, Anesthesiologist
