Difference Between Anesthesia Side Effects and Errors
Anesthetics are used for most surgical procedures to prevent pain. These kinds of drugs can be used to save many lives, but can also come with dangerous side effects. In rare cases, a medical error can lead to damaging side effects, some of which can be life-threatening. This is because applying anesthesia is a multi-step complex process that requires adequate monitoring of the patient. Various factors can lead to anesthesia errors, but certain errors are considered malpractice. If you were affected by one of these errors, consider contacting a Central New York Medical Malpractice Lawyer.
Types of Anesthesia
There are three main types of anesthesia that are used depending on the type of operation and on how the patient has reacted to other types of anesthesia in the past.
General anesthesia makes the entire body fall asleep. Patients are unable to move and remain unconscious until the surgery is complete. This type of anesthesia can be given through an IV or a gas inhaler.
Local anesthesia only removes pain in a specific part of the body. This type of anesthesia is commonly used by dentists and optometrists. Skin doctors may also use local anesthetics when removing skin growths.
Regional anesthetics are used for larger sections of the body, like an entire leg or everything below the waist. This may be used for childbirth or limb surgery.
Common Anesthesia Side Effects and Errors
Each anesthetic comes with some form of side effects. Common side effects of general anesthesia are:
- Sore throat
- Confusion
- Muscle soreness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Chills or shivering
Serious side effects that may indicate an error:
- Confusion or memory loss lasting more than a day
- Malignant hyperthermia (high fever and muscle contractions)
- Urinary problems
- Pneumonia
Local anesthesia rarely leads to side effects. The only known side effects from this anesthetic are soreness or itching. If this happens, be sure to let your doctor know so they can administer a different type of anesthetic.
There are also side effects that can happen from anesthesia given through an IV. This is often used for sedation and prevention of pain. Side effects from IV sedation include:
- Headaches
- Trouble urinating
- Hematoma (bleeding under the skin)
- Back pain
Side effects that suggest an error include:
- Nerve damage
- Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
- Seizures
- Low blood pressure
Personal Injury Lawyer in New York
Medical malpractice can lead to all kinds of personal injuries. No one should have to deal with the adverse effects of these types of injuries if someone else was at fault, even if that person was a medical professional. An experienced Camillus Personal Injury Attorney can help you differentiate between medical malpractice and common side effects of anesthesia. You may be eligible to receive compensation for pain and suffering, physical injuries, and psychological harm.
At Gattuso & Ciotoli we offer our clients four different areas of legal practice. Contact us today at (315) 314-8000 for a free consultation. We offer our legal services in Central New York, Syracuse, Watertown, Binghamton, Syracuse, North Syracuse, Camillus, Liverpool, Cortland, and Auburn. We will investigate your personal injury claim to increase your chances of obtaining the compensation you need to recover.