Abstract
This chapter reviews the incidence, etiology, and prevention of anesthesia-related complications. The complications are grouped into: complications of airway management, complications of the respiratory system, complications of the cardiovascular system, complications of the renal and hepatic systems, complications of the neurological system, complications of regional anesthesia, systemic and metabolic complications, and other complications. The incidence of sore throat after general anesthesia is variable in the literature, with some reports suggesting it is as high as 70%. Laryngeal complications associated with general anesthesia include vocal cord trauma, vocal cord paralysis, and arytenoid subluxation or dislocation. General anesthesia will lead to atelectasis, even in healthy patients. There are multiple factors that contribute to the etiology of atelectasis under general anesthesia. Cardiac complications are the most common cause of mortality after surgery and anesthesia. The most significant anesthesia-related risk factor is prior exposure to halothane.