Anesthesia is a necessary part of surgery. Anesthesia is a medical treatment to control a patient’s feeling of pain through the administration of anesthetic drugs to reduce their pain. There are different types of anesthesia, and like all drugs, they come with different risks to the patient. Anesthesia errors can lead to serious injury and death.
If you have suffered injury or lost a family member because of anesthesia errors, you might be entitled to compensation. For more information about your rights and how one of our Philadelphia anesthesia error attorneys can help you, call Youman & Caputo at (215) 302-1999.
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There are different types of anesthesia. The type used depends on the patient’s medical condition, the type of procedure, the patient’s preference, and what is safe for the patient. The different types of anesthesia include:
Although all forms of anesthesia carry some risk of complications, general anesthesia carries the most risk. Advances in science have improved surgical procedures and anesthesia, however, as with any medical procedure, there are risks involved in the administration of anesthesia. These are some of the common complications that a patient can experience from anesthesia:
Breathing difficulty – patients who have been treated with anesthesia can experience breathing difficulty during and after their procedure. Patients with pre-existing conditions such as sleep apnea may have difficulty regaining consciousness after their procedure, or they may stop breathing during their procedure. Smokers may also suffer this complication from anesthesia.
Postoperative cognitive dysfunction – this is a serious complication from anesthesia most common among elderly patients. It is a state where a patient experiences a decline in their memory or cognitive function after surgery. This condition is well known to anesthesiologists. Patients with some pre-existing conditions like congestive heart failure, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease are more prone to this complication. It is important for an anesthesiologist to carefully assess the patient’s medical history to avoid possible complications.
Malignant hyperthermia – this is a complication from anesthesia drugs that causes the body to react with dangerously high body temperature and muscle spasms. This is a potentially fatal complication from anesthesia.
According to a study by the National Institutes of Health, the most common causes of anesthesia errors are as follows:
These are all possible grounds for a medical malpractice claim. If you or a family member has suffered from anesthesia errors, you may be entitled to financial compensation.
The Philadelphia anesthesia error attorneys at Youman & Caputo are experienced in medical malpractice law. We will protect your best interests and fight to get you justice in your case. Your initial consultation is at no cost to you. Call us today at to schedule your free consultation with one of our medical malpractice lawyers.