Category: Surgical safety

In one survey, 22% of patients undergoing surgery reported using herbal medicine, yet most fail to disclose this to their healthcare providers [1.3.2]. Understanding **what interferes with anesthesia** is critical for preventing complications and ensuring a safe surgical outcome.

Studies show that up to 22% of patients undergoing surgery use herbal medicines, and a majority fail to report this to their healthcare providers. So, the question 'Does anything interfere with anesthesia?' is critically important for patient safety.

Mortality solely attributable to anesthesia has plummeted since the 1970s, with the current risk for healthy patients estimated to be as low as 1 in 200,000 cases [1.9.1, 1.2.4]. The enduring question, however, is **does anesthesia lower lifespan** in the long term, beyond the immediate surgical period?

Studies show that smokers have a significantly higher risk of postoperative complications, including a 53% greater likelihood of serious heart and lung problems compared to non-smokers [1.3.4]. Understanding **what nicotine does to you during surgery** is the first step toward a safer surgical outcome and recovery.

While the overall incidence is low, studies show that anesthesia-related persistent double vision occurs in up to 0.25% of certain surgeries, like those for cataracts [1.3.9]. So, can anesthesia cause double vision? Yes, though it's typically a rare and often temporary complication.

Pulmonary aspiration, the inhalation of gastric contents into the lungs, is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication associated with general anesthesia. Anesthesiologists take proactive steps to mitigate this risk, which explains **why do they give PEPCID before surgery** as a crucial pre-medication. This intervention is a cornerstone of patient safety during the perioperative period.

In the United States, about 60,000 people undergo general anesthesia daily [1.9.1]. A common question is, *'Are you breathing on your own under anesthesia?'* The answer depends on the depth of anesthesia and the specific medical procedure being performed.

Acute upper respiratory infections (URIs), or the common cold, are the most frequent illness in the general population [1.3.9]. So, is it safe to have a general anaesthetic with a cold in adults? The answer depends on several key factors evaluated by your medical team.

Over 3.7% of men undergoing cataract surgery have recent exposure to tamsulosin (Flomax), a medication linked to a 2.3 times greater risk of serious complications [1.2.1, 1.2.7]. Understanding **why stop Flomax before cataract surgery** is crucial for patient safety.

The idea of a "magic number" for repeated anesthesia is a common misconception; in reality, there is no hard limit on **how many times you can be put under anesthesia**, as the safety depends heavily on individual patient factors rather than the sheer number of exposures. The expertise of the anesthesiology team, combined with a comprehensive assessment of the patient's overall health, determines the risk profile for each procedure.