Tag: Aspiration

Anesthesia-related pulmonary aspiration is a rare but potentially devastating complication, with a confirmed incidence estimated at approximately 1 in 5,500 cases in a large study. While this is a low overall frequency, understanding **how common is aspiration under anesthesia** requires looking deeper into specific patient risk factors and the different stages of a procedure. For anesthesiologists and surgical patients, the vigilance and mitigation strategies surrounding this event remain critically important.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), aspirating—or drawing back on the plunger—is not necessary for subcutaneous injections. This modern, evidence-based approach is a key shift away from older practices, focusing on patient comfort and safety during medication administration.