What is a general anaesthetic?

A general anaesthetic is a combination of drugs that produce deep sleep. It is used for procedures as it causes a loss of sensation. Your child will not be aware of what is happening and afterwards will not remember anything that has happened.

What are the benefits?

Your child needs to have a procedure. So that your surgeon or doctor can perform the procedure safely, your child needs to be in a state where they do not move and their muscles are relaxed. A safe way to achieve this is to give your child a general anaesthetic.

Are there any alternatives?

For certain procedures, such as a scan, your child may be able to have sedation. This can be given in a variety of ways such as a syrup or nose spray.

For smaller procedures, your anaesthetist may consider a local anaesthetic injected near the area of surgery.

The options depend on how mature your child is and their ability to stay calm and still.

How is a general anaesthetic given?

Most older children are sent to sleep by injecting the anaesthetic through a small tube (drip) in a vein. The injection takes about 30 seconds to work.

Some children prefer to go to sleep by breathing an anaesthetic gas through a face mask. This technique is more common in younger children and babies. Your child may be a bit restless as the gas begins to work but it usually takes only a minute for them to go to sleep.

When the procedure has finished, the anaesthetic wears off, allowing your child to wake up again.

What complications can happen?

The healthcare team are trained to reduce the risk of complications.

Possible complications of this procedure are shown below. Some can be serious and may even cause death.

Any risk rates given are taken from studies of people who have had a general anaesthetic. Your anaesthetist may be able to tell you if the risk of a complication is higher or lower for your child.

Minor complications (not disabling or life-threatening)

• Feeling or being sick after the procedure. The risk is higher if your child is older, is a girl and for certain procedures but can be reduced with medication.
• Sore throat.
• Behavioural changes. Your child may appear unsettled when they first wake up has anxiety, night-time crying, bed wetting or temper tantrums.
• Dental damage affecting the front teeth or crowns.
• Allergic reaction to the equipment, materials or medication.
• Shivering after the procedure.

Serious complications

• Nerve injury.
• Slow or irregular heartbeat. The risk is lower in older children.
• Cardiac arrest (where the heart stops working).
• Breathing problems. Your child may get a minor breathing problem, such as a wheeze or cough, that settles.
• Allergic reaction to the medication used in the anaesthetic and can be life threatening.
• Death.

Summary

A general anaesthetic is usually a safe and effective way for your child to have a procedure.

Most children do not have any problems.

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