About anaesthesia

You will need anaesthesia in connection with an operation, treatment or examination. There are three types of anaesthesia:

• General anaesthesia
• Nerve block
• Spinal anaesthesia

You will be invited to a consultation with an anaesthesiologist prior to the procedure. The anaesthesiologist will ask about your health and medical history. You will also be asked about any medication, herbal medicines or food supplements you may be taking, as you may need to stop taking certain medications/supplements in the time up to your procedure. Please bring your medication list to the consultation. You and your anaesthesiologist will together decide which type of anaesthesia is right for you and the procedure you will be undergoing. The anaesthesiologist will be happy to answer any questions you may have about anaesthesia.

Sometimes you will not meet the anaesthesiologist until you are in the operating theatre. If you feel anxious about being sedated or if have any questions, you are always welcome to ask for a consultation with the anaesthesiologist ahead of time.

Types of anaesthesia

General anaesthesia

You will be asleep for the procedure. The medication will be administered through an IV drip in your arm or hand. We might place a plastic tube down your throat. For some procedures, an epidural catheter will be placed in your back prior to anaesthesia. The catheter can be used to treat pain both during and after the procedure.

Nerve block (local anaesthesia)

A nerve block is used to numb a small area of your body, for example an arm or foot. The anaesthesiologist will inject a local anaesthetic around the nerve using a thin needle. The anaesthesia will ensure you do not feel any pain during the procedure  and will relieve pain for up to 24 hours after the procedure. You will be awake during the procedure  and be able to feel pressure on your skin or if anything touches your skin.

Spinal anaesthesia

Spinal anaesthesia is used to numb your lower body or legs. The anaesthesiologist will use a very thin needle to inject a local anaesthetic in your back while you are in a seated position or lying on your side with your back curved. The process is usually quick and easy, but you can be given a sedative to help you relax. You will be awake during a spinal anaesthesia. However, it can be combined with a small dosage of sleep medication, so you doze off during the procedure. In some cases we will place a catheter in your back to provide pain-relieving medication during the procedure and in the following days.

Possible side effects

Anaesthesia is very safe. Serious side effects are extremely rare. Minor side effects are more common, but they do not last very long and can be treated if necessary. Side effects of anaesthesia are:

• Soreness in your mouth and throat: If you had a tube inserted in your windpipe (trachea) during anaesthesia, then your mouth and throat may feel a bit sore when you wake up. This is very common and will go away on its own.
• Nausea: Some patients become nauseated and vomit after anaesthesia. We can give you medication to prevent nausea if you need it.
• Itching: Pain-relieving medicine can in some cases cause itching. However, it rarely needs to be treated.
• Problems urinating: In rare cases you may have trouble urinating once you get home. Contact your general practitioner or dial 1813 to reach the medical helpline outside your general practitioner’s opening hours if this happens to you.
• Trouble with memory: Elderly patients in particular might have trouble with memory just after anaesthesia. Your memory will almost always improve after a few days or weeks.
• Headaches: Spinal anaesthesia can in rare cases cause headaches. The headache will appear when you stand up and disappear once you lie down. The headache is harmless but will require treatment as it would otherwise take a long time to go away. Contact us if you develop a headache once you return home.
• Nerve damage: Local anaesthesia can in rare cases cause nerve damage. If after 3-4 weeks, you are still experiencing numbness, reduced muscle strength or pain around the nerve, contact the department responsible for your procedure. Nerve damage is only permanent in extremely rare cases.
• Dental injuries: If you already have loose or fragile teeth, there is a small risk that your teeth might be damaged by general anaesthesia. If you had a tube placed in your trachea during anaesthesia, then your mouth and throat may feel a bit sore when you wake up.
• Accumulation of blood or infection in the back: In extremely rare cases, a spinal anaesthesia can result in an accumulation of blood or infection in your back. This requires immediate treatment. Dial 1813 for the medical helpline if you suddenly experience sensory disturbance/numbness in your legs, if you have trouble urinating or feel strong pain in the area where the anaesthesia was placed. Let the operator know that you have had a spinal anaesthesia.

Learn more

Read more about anaesthesia at www.patienthåndbogen.dk. Search for ‘Bedøvelse, oversigt’.