Patient Info

General anaesthesia (GA) uses medications to make you  fully unconscious and pain-free during surgery. While you are asleep, your anaesthetist continuously monitors and controls: 

• Breathing and oxygen levels 

• Heart rate and blood pressure 

• Temperature and fluid balance 

• Comfort, pain control and nausea prevention 

Modern anaesthesia is very safe. Your individual risk depends on: 

• Your health and medical conditions 

• The type and complexity of surgery 

• Whether the surgery is planned or urgent 

A thorough pre-operative assessment allows us to reduce risk and plan safely. 

For many general anaesthetics, an airway device is used to support breathing safely. It’s common to have a mild sore throat afterwards, which usually settles quickly. 

Fasting reduces the risk of stomach contents entering the lungs during anaesthesia. 

Typical guidance (unless you are told otherwise): 

• No food for 6 hours before surgery 

• Clear fluids until 2 hours before surgery (e.g., water, black tea/coffee without milk) 

You will receive personalised instructions based on your procedure and medical history. 

Many medications are continued, but some (for example certain blood thinners or diabetes medications) may need adjustment. You’ll be advised clearly at pre-assessment. 

Pre-operative anxiety is common. A calm, detailed consultation and clear plan usually helps significantly. When appropriate, medication can be used to reduce anxiety on the day. 

We use a multimodal pain strategy to keep you comfortable while minimising side effects. This may include: 

• Paracetamol 

• Anti-inflammatory medication (if appropriate) 

• Local anaesthetic techniques (infiltration or nerve blocks) 

• Limited opioid medication only when required 

After surgery you are cared for in a monitored recovery area where we check: 

• Breathing and oxygen levels 

• Blood pressure and heart rate 

• Pain and nausea control 

• Comfort and readiness to drink/mobilise 

After general anaesthesia or sedation: 

• Do not drive for at least 24 hours 

• Avoid alcohol and important decisions 

• Ensure a responsible adult takes you home and stays with you (where advised) 

Procedure type and pain medication may affect the timeline—your discharge team will advise. 

Key considerations include: 

• Airway planning (especially with large goitres or altered anatomy) 

• Stable blood pressure and heart function 

• Proactive nausea prevention 

• Vigilance for post-operative neck swelling (rare but important) 

• Awareness of calcium changes after parathyroid surgery 

Yes, in most thyroid and parathyroid procedures a breathing tube is used for safety. Mild throat discomfort afterwards is common and short-lived. 

If you experience tingling around the lips or in the fingers, cramping, or unusual muscle twitching, you should seek advice—these may be signs of low calcium. 

Many patients are suitable for short-stay pathways. The final decision depends on the procedure, calcium monitoring needs, and your individual health profile. 

Common options include: 

• Spinal anaesthesia (numb from the waist down) ± sedation 

• General anaesthesia 

• A combined approach in selected cases 

Spinal anaesthesia is widely used because it can: 

• Provide strong pain relief during and after surgery 

• Reduce early nausea for some patients 

• Support early mobilisation within enhanced recovery pathways 

Not everyone is suitable—your anaesthetist will advise. 

A nerve block is local anaesthetic injected near specific nerves to reduce pain after surgery. Temporary numbness or weakness while the block is active is expected. 

Many patients stay 2–5 days, depending on mobility, pain control, home support and local pathways. 

Most ENT procedures are performed under general anaesthesia to: 

• Secure and protect the airway 

• Prevent movement 

• Manage bleeding risk safely 

Some minor procedures can be performed under local anaesthesia. 

• Sore throat 

• Hoarseness 

• Swallowing discomfort 

• Nausea 

These are typically short-lived. 

Depending on the procedure, risks may include bleeding and airway swelling. You will be monitored closely in recovery. 

Keyhole surgery inflates the abdomen with gas and typically requires: 

• Controlled ventilation 

• Muscle relaxation 

• Close monitoring of physiology 

General anaesthesia provides these safely. 

Not always. Depending on the hernia type and surgical approach, options may include: 

• General anaesthesia 

• Spinal anaesthesia 

• Local anaesthesia ± sedation 

Many hernia repairs are suitable for day surgery. 

Gas used during surgery can irritate the diaphragm, causing referred shoulder tip discomfort. It is common and usually settles with simple pain relief and movement. 

Most are mild and short-lived: 

• Nausea or vomiting 

• Sore throat 

• Drowsiness 

• Shivering 

• Bruising at injection sites 

Accidental awareness during general anaesthesia is very rare. Modern techniques and monitoring make this unlikely, and individual risk factors are considered during planning. 

These conditions are common and can usually be managed safely with: 

• Careful pre-operative assessment 

• Tailored anaesthetic technique 

• Appropriate monitoring and post-operative planning 

After discharge, seek urgent medical review if you experience: 

• Chest pain or shortness of breath 

• Severe or rapidly increasing neck swelling (particularly after thyroid surgery) 

• Heavy bleeding (especially after ENT surgery) 

• Persistent vomiting or inability to keep fluids down 

• Fever or signs of infection 

• Severe uncontrolled pain 

• Sudden leg swelling or calf pain