Anesthesia Errors
Thankfully, we have made a number of medical advancements in the last few decades that make surgery easier to perform, such as laparoscopic cameras. Additionally, surgery is now much easier on the patient as well. For instance, you can now rely on anesthesia to keep you from feeling the pain of surgery rather than having to undergo the process with no anesthetic save for a block of wood to bite.
Despite our advancements, anesthesia can still go terribly wrong. Should your anesthesiologist or nurse fails to correctly administer and monitor this treatment, it can result in serious health issues such as stroke. If you have suffered from anesthesia errors, contact a Chicago medical malpractice attorney from the respected firm of Friedman & Bonebrake, P.C. today at 312-466-8200.
Types of Anesthesia and Their Risks
There are three main types of anesthesia: local, regional, and general. Local anesthesia only numbs a tiny area of your body. For example, if you need a few stitches for a cut, you may receive local anesthesia while you are awake. Risks associated with local anesthesia include allergic reaction, nerve damage, breathing problems, and temporary paralysis.
Regional anesthesia is used over an entire area of your body, such as your whole leg or an epidural during labor. While regional anesthesia does not put you to sleep, you may be given a sedative along with the anesthetic. This type of anesthesia has the same risks as local.
Lastly, general anesthesia puts you completely to sleep so that you cannot feel your surgery. In addition to allergic reactions and breathing problems, general anesthesia can also cause:
- Heart arrhythmia
- Nausea and vomiting
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Temporary delirium
Contact Us
If anesthesia errors have affected you, contact the Chicago personal injury lawyers from Friedman & Bonebrake, P.C. at 312-466-8200 to discuss your case and learn about your options.