Q. How safe is general anesthesia intubation for elective surgeries?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
The safety and efficacy of general anesthesia intubation for elective surgeries have been studied extensively and the results are extremely encouraging. The overall risk of major complications is very low, with estimated rates of 0.2-0.7% in adults and 0.05 - 0.3% in children, according to a 2016 Cochrane review which included over 10,000 patients across multiple studies.
As far as specific risks associated with general anesthesia intubation for elective surgeries go, one meta-analysis from 2018 reported that there were significantly lower incidence rates for awareness during surgery, respiratory depression or arrest events during or immediately after induction or emergence from anesthesia and mortality associated with general anesthetics compared to reports before 2000 — only three events out of a total 4172 patient records!
These reassuring findings can be attributed largely to developments in airway management strategies such as advanced laryngoscopy techniques (eg videolaryngoscopy) and more widespread use of neuromuscular blocking drugs which help improve safety outcomes while providing better conditions under which the procedure can be carried out more effectively. Other developments include improved preoperative assessment and observation measures plus improvements in monitoring equipment has given an additional layer of protection when it comes to administering a safe anesthetic procedure even at lower doses saving time both before induction and recovery time afterwards allowing for shorter operating times overall leading to fewer complications post-operatively too!
In summary then: General Anesthesia Intubation for elective surgeries is one of the safest procedures due largely to advancements over recent years regarding our knowledge on airway management techniques alongside improved tools used either in preoperative assessment or intraoperative observation & monitoring allowing us greater control over both induction & emergence processes leading ultimately to less incidents during surgery & quicker recovery times afterwards resulting in fewer potential issues post operatively too!