Anaesthetic Awareness
The risk of being conscious or semi conscious on the operating table is very small, but about 1 in 1000 people report some degree of awareness during anaesthesia.This happens most commonly in operations where, for safety reasons, the minimum amount of anaesthetic is used – caesarean section, open-heart surgery and some emergency surgery.
Some people can be aware of what is happening but feel no pain, and others can experience excruciating pain and fear but cannot convey this to anyone because of the paralysing effects of the anaesthetic drugs. This can be a truly terrifying experience that can, in certain cases, have long-term psychological consequences.
Recently a type of brain wave monitor has been developed specifically to try and avoid anaesthetic awareness. It is not yet in common use in Britain, partly because it is very expensive.
Clinical Negligence Case
A 29 year old woman had a caesarean section and sterilization performed under general anaesthetic. The anaesthetic was as light as possible so that the baby would be fully alert when it was born.
The woman claimed that she was awake during the whole operation and could feel everything that was done to her and could hear the theatre staff talking, but had no way of making her distress known.
Since the experience she has developed severe post traumatic stress disorder and has had great difficulty bonding with the baby.
She was awarded damages of £200,000 because the anaesthetist should have been aware of the possibility of anaesthetic awareness and should have noticed what was happening.
JMW Clinical Negligence Solicitors
JMW Clinical Negligence Solicitors have one of the most experienced and respected medical negligence compensation claims teams in the United Kingdom. We offer a free advice on medical negligence law, whether you have a good case and how much your compensation might be worth. We are able to deal with cases using legal aid or the no win no fee scheme in appropriate cases. If after talking to us you decide not to take matters further you are under no obligation to do so and you will not be charged for our initial advice session.
For a free initial assessment of your case please click here and fill out our online enquiry form. For further information on all of JMW Solicitors Clinical and Medical Negligence services please contact us on 0845 402 0001.
