Decoding the odds: How often do people have issues with anesthesia?

October 1, 2025 •

4 min read

Serious complications from anesthesia are rare, with major adverse events occurring in less than 1% of cases for most patients. While modern anesthesia is exceptionally safe, many people wonder exactly how often do people have issues with anesthesia, and the answer depends greatly on the type of issue and individual risk factors.

Quick Summary

Anesthesia is very safe, with minor, temporary side effects being more common than severe complications. The risk level is influenced by the type of anesthesia used, the patient's overall health, and the specifics of the surgical procedure.

Key Points

Anesthesia is remarkably safe: The risk of a serious, life-threatening complication is very low, estimated at less than 1 in 100,000 cases.
Minor side effects are more common: Temporary issues like nausea, sore throat, and drowsiness are experienced by many but are typically manageable and short-lived.
Risk varies by anesthesia type: Local anesthesia is the safest, followed by regional (spinal/epidural), with general anesthesia carrying the highest potential for rare complications.
Patient health influences risk: Age, chronic conditions like heart or lung disease, obesity, and sleep apnea are all factors that can increase risk.
Advances have improved safety: Modern monitoring equipment, safer drugs, and advanced training for providers have dramatically reduced the rate of anesthesia-related incidents over the past decades.

A spectrum of anesthesia issues: From common annoyances to rare risks

For anyone facing a surgical procedure, concerns about anesthesia are natural. The reality is that anesthesia has become extremely safe due to decades of advances in medications, monitoring technology, and provider training. The vast majority of patients undergo anesthesia without a serious issue. However, understanding the difference in frequency between minor, manageable side effects and rare, life-threatening complications can help alleviate anxiety.

The frequency of minor side effects

Most issues that patients experience are mild, temporary, and easily managed by the anesthesiology team. The frequency of these minor side effects varies, but many studies confirm they are far more common than severe adverse events. For instance, according to a 2014 study, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) was the most common minor complication, affecting a significant portion of patients.

Here are some of the most frequently reported minor issues, with frequencies varying based on patient risk factors and procedural details:

Nausea and vomiting: Affecting up to 30% or more of patients, particularly those at high risk. Medications are often given proactively to prevent it.
Sore throat: A very common issue (reported in up to 81% of patients in some oral surgery studies) often resulting from the breathing tube used during general anesthesia.
Shivering or chills: Occurs in up to half of patients as their body temperature regulates after surgery.
Muscle aches: Caused by muscle relaxants used during general anesthesia or positioning during surgery.
Drowsiness and temporary confusion: Patients may feel groggy or disoriented as they awaken, with confusion more common in older adults.
Headache: Can result from dehydration, stress, or specific types of anesthesia like a spinal block.
Itching: Often a side effect of opioid pain medication.

The infrequency of serious complications

While minor issues are fairly common, serious complications are exceptionally rare. A healthy individual undergoing a routine procedure has a very low risk of a major anesthesia-related complication.

Anesthesia-related mortality: The risk of death directly related to anesthesia is extremely low, estimated at about 1 in 100,000 to 200,000 cases in modern practice. For healthy patients, the risk is even lower, less than 1 in a million.
Anesthesia awareness: This involves a patient becoming conscious during surgery and is very rare, occurring in only 1 or 2 out of every 1,000 general anesthesia cases. It is more likely during emergency or high-risk procedures.
Malignant hyperthermia: A rare, inherited reaction to certain anesthesia drugs that causes a rapid fever and muscle contractions. While potentially fatal, it can be treated effectively, and anesthesiologists screen for a family history of this condition.
Nerve damage: This is an uncommon complication that can result from improper positioning during a procedure or direct needle injury during regional anesthesia.

Risk levels based on anesthesia type

The frequency and type of issues can differ based on the form of anesthesia administered. The invasiveness of the procedure and the patient's underlying health also play a significant role in determining the appropriate and safest option.

Comparison of anesthesia types and associated risks


Anesthesia Type	Risk Profile: Common Side Effects	Risk Profile: Rare Complications	Example Use Cases
Local Anesthesia	Pain, tenderness, or bruising at the injection site. Very rare allergic reactions or systemic toxicity.	Systemic toxicity is very rare, occurring in less than 1 in 1000 patients.	Dental work, minor skin surgery, stitching a wound.
Regional Anesthesia (e.g., spinal, epidural)	Headache, temporary dizziness, low blood pressure, difficulty urinating. Back pain is not more common than with other pain relief methods.	Serious nerve damage or spinal hematoma is extremely rare (e.g., 0.7-1.8 per 100,000 for death or paraplegia). Dural puncture causing a severe headache (1-2%).	Childbirth, some orthopedic procedures, hip or knee replacement.
General Anesthesia	Nausea, vomiting, sore throat, shivering, temporary confusion, muscle aches.	Very rare: anesthesia awareness (1-2 per 1000), malignant hyperthermia, severe allergic reaction, or serious breathing problems.	Major surgery, lengthy procedures, procedures requiring muscle relaxation.

Factors that increase anesthesia risk

While modern anesthesia has a remarkable safety record, certain factors can elevate a patient's risk for complications. Anesthesiologists perform a thorough preoperative assessment to identify these factors and tailor the anesthetic plan accordingly.

Key patient-related risk factors include:

Age: Older patients have a higher risk of postoperative cognitive dysfunction and other complications like pneumonia.
Pre-existing medical conditions: Conditions such as heart disease, lung conditions (COPD, asthma), diabetes, and obesity can increase risk.
Sleep apnea: Patients with sleep apnea are more vulnerable to breathing issues during and after surgery.
Lifestyle habits: Smoking, heavy alcohol use, and recreational drug use can all impact anesthesia.
Medication use: Certain medications, like blood thinners, must be managed carefully.
Allergies: Previous adverse reactions to anesthesia or medication allergies are significant factors.

By carefully managing these risks, anesthesiologists work to ensure a safe experience for every patient.

Conclusion: A safe procedure with manageable concerns

So, how often do people have issues with anesthesia? The good news is that most issues are minor, temporary side effects that trained professionals can manage effectively. Serious, life-threatening complications are exceedingly rare and have decreased dramatically over time due to ongoing medical advancements. Open communication with your anesthesiologist about your health history and any concerns is the best way to ensure the safest possible experience. They will use your information to create a personalized plan to minimize risks and ensure a smooth procedure and recovery. To learn more about patient safety during anesthesia, visit the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation website.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common minor side effects after general anesthesia include nausea and vomiting, a sore throat from the breathing tube, temporary confusion or grogginess, shivering or chills, and muscle aches.

The incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting is estimated to affect about 30% of all post-surgical patients, though this can be much higher (up to 80%) in high-risk individuals.

Waking up during general anesthesia, a phenomenon called anesthesia awareness, is extremely rare. It occurs in only 1 or 2 out of every 1,000 procedures and often involves only vague awareness without pain.

Your risk of complications is more closely linked to your overall health and the complexity of the procedure than to the anesthesia itself. Older patients and those with serious health conditions face a higher risk, which is why a thorough preoperative assessment is so important.

Severe allergic reactions to anesthesia medications are very rare, occurring in less than 0.5% of cases. Medical teams take precautions by reviewing patient history and being prepared to treat any reactions that do occur.

The risk of death directly caused by anesthesia is exceedingly low. It is estimated at about 1 in 100,000 to 200,000 cases and is even lower for healthy patients having routine procedures.

Yes, local and regional anesthesia are generally considered safer than general anesthesia because they carry fewer systemic risks. However, they also have their own specific, though typically rare, risks, such as nerve damage or headaches.