Knowing the Risks and Complications Involved with Anesthesia
Florida boasts some of the best doctors and hospitals in the nation. The combination of training and advanced technology allows these doctors, nurses, and health care professionals to provide excellent care for their patients. Yet, even with today’s state-of-the-art medical technology, there are still risks associated with health care. This includes the field of anesthesiology, which is employed locally, regionally, or generally in many procedures. Anesthesia is used in many procedures, from pulling wisdom teeth to open heart surgery. Learn the risks involved with anesthesia, and if you suspect wrongful death, or medical malpractice, as a result of complications involving anesthesia, then you should speak with a medical malpractice attorney to discuss your case.
Local Anesthesia
Anesthesia applied locally is safe when administered properly. Systemic toxicity, caused by your body absorbing too much of the anesthetic into the blood stream, is the greatest risk posed by local anesthesia. This can affect core body functions, such as temperature regulation, heartbeat, and blood pressure. Doctors are required to have emergency care immediately available even when applying local anesthetics because of these risks.
Regional Anesthesia
Regional anesthetics carry the same risk of systemic toxicity as local anesthetics, but it can also pose additional dangers. Regional anesthetics are commonly applied to nerve bundles or to the cerebrospinal fluid within the spinal cord. Aside from the risk of swelling and infection as a result of the injection, these procedures can result in nerve damage, causing persistent or permanent weakness, numbness, or pain.
General Anesthesia
General anesthetics must be described as the most dangerous, though complications are uncommon. Because general anesthesia affects the entire body, throat reflexes that prevent fluids from entering the lungs, known as aspiration, are suppressed. Endotracheal tubes (ET) are inserted into the respiratory tract of the patient to prevent stomach contents from entering the lungs. Aside from complications related to ET tubes, such as a sore throat or damage to the teeth and lips, there are serious risks from general anesthesia that include irregularities in heartbeat and blood pressure, stroke, and heart attack. Serious illness and death are rare during general anesthesia, though death occurs in about 1 in every 200,000 healthy patients who undergo surgery where general anesthesia is used; such was the case recently with a Florida teen who underwent cosmetic surgery in 2008.
If you or a loved one has suffered serious injury or even death due to medical malpractice, please contact Michael Barszcz, M.D., J.D., a medical malpractice lawyer, for a legal evaluation. Mr. Barszcz’s medical background is an important asset in these types of cases, and he will be able to give you unique guidance and representation. Call (407) 329-3923 to schedule a consultation today.
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