Anaesthesia and risk evidence table

The table below contains the evidence we have used in our risk information series.

Risk Reference
Shivering Sprint National Anaesthesia Project 1 (SNAP1) – Patient-reported outcomes after anaesthesia
Nausea Sprint National Anaesthesia Project 1 (SNAP1) – Patient-reported outcomes after anaesthesia
Sore throat Sprint National Anaesthesia Project 1 (SNAP1) – Patient-reported outcomes after anaesthesia
Becoming confused (delirium)
Bruising or pain Sprint National Anaesthesia Project 1 (SNAP1) – Patient-reported outcomes after anaesthesia
Minor lip or tongue injury Fung BK, Chan MY. Incidence of oral tissue trauma after the administration of general anaesthesia. Acta Anaesthesiol Sin 2001;39(4):163–167.
Chest infection Postoperative pulmonary complications
Blurred vision, eye irritation or pain, blindness
  • White E, Crosse MM. The aetiology and prevention of peri-operative corneal abrasions. Anaesth 1998;53:157–161.
  • White E. Care of the eye during anaesthesia. Anaesth Inten Care 2004;5:302–303.
  • Contractor S, Hardman JG. Injury during anaesthesia. CEACCP 2006;6(2):67–70.
  • Roth S et al. Eye injuries after non ocular surgery: a study of 60,965 anaesthetics from 1988 to 1992. Anesthesiol 1996;85:1020–1027.
  • Roth S. Perioperative visual loss: What do we know, what can we do. Br J Anaesth 2009;103(Suppl 1):i31–40.
  • Lee LA et al. The American Society of Anesthesiologists Postoperative Visual Loss Registry: analysis of 93 spine surgery cases with postoperative visual loss. Anesthesiol 2006;105(4):652–659.
  • Rupp-Montpetit K, Moody ML. Visual loss as a complication of non-ophthalmic surgery: a review of the literature. AANA Journal 2004;72(4):285–292.
  • Roth S. Perioperative visual loss : what do we know, what can we do? Br J Anaesth 2009;103:i31–i40.
Tingling, numbness, pain or weakness (nerve damage)
  • Fischer B. Complications of Regional Anaesthesia. Anaesth Intens Care Med 2004;4:125–128.
  • Auroy Y et al. Serious complications related to regional anaesthesia. Anaesthesiol 1997;87:479–486.
  • Brull R et al. Neurological complications after regional anaesthesia: contemporary estimates of risk. Anesth Analg 2007;104(4):965–974.
  • Neal JM et al. The Second ASRA Practice Advisory on Neurologic Complications Associated with Regional Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine: Executive Summary. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2015;40:401–430.
  • Barrington M et al. Preliminary Results of the Australasian Regional Anaesthesia Collaboration: A Prospective Audit of Over 7,000 Peripheral Nerve and Plexus Blocks. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2009;34:534–541.
  • Jeng CL et al. Complications of Peripheral Nerve Blocks. Br J Anaesth 2010;105(S1):97–107.
  • Lam KK et al. Incidence and Etiology of Postoperative Neurological Symptoms after Peripheral Nerve Block: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2020;45:495–504.
  • Lemke E et al. Neurological Injury Following Peripheral Nerve Blocks: A Narrative Review of Risk Estimates and the Influence of Ultrasound Guidance. Reg Anesth Pain Med Published 2024;49(2):122–132 (Online First: 8 November 2023).
Damage to teeth
  • Hua M, Brady J, Li G. The epidemiology of upper airway injury in patients undergoing major surgical procedures. Anesth Analg 2012;114(1):148–151.
  • Newland MC et al. Dental injury associated with anesthesia: a report of 161,687 anesthetics given over 14 years. J Clin Anesth 2007;19(5):339–345.
Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) 6th National Audit Project (NAP6) – Anaesthesia, Surgery and Life-Threatening Allergic Reactions
Perioperative cardiac arrest 7th National Audit Project (NAP7) – Perioperative Cardiac Arrest
Waking during a general anaesthetic (accidental awareness) 5th National Audit Project (NAP5) – Accidental Awareness during General Anaesthesia in the UK and Ireland
Death 7th National Audit Project (NAP7) – Perioperative Cardiac Arrest

Find out more below

Risks associated with general anaesthesia
Browse our infographics and leaflets detailing specific risks associated with general anaesthesia, including side effects or complications that could occur.

Risks associated with regional anaesthesia
Browse our leaflets detailing specific risks associated with regional anaesthesia, including side effects or complications that could occur.

Common events & risks for children & young people
These infographics show some of the common events and risks that healthy children and young people of normal weight face when having a general anaesthetic (GA) for routine surgery.