When oxygen isn’t delivered to the patient’s brain properly during anesthesia, it can severely injure the patient. The damage caused can be permanent and seriously change the victim’s life.
Symptoms
- Confusion or inability to wake up normally
- Memory problems
- Seizures
- Weakness or paralysis on one side
- Slurred speech
- Vision disturbances
- Loss of coordination
In some cases, patients may not regain consciousness or wake up with significant loss of cognitive or physical abilities.
What causes brain damage during anesthesia?
Brain injuries during anesthesia are extremely preventable when the medical staff follows proper guidelines to make sure oxygen is being delivered correctly.
Common causes include poor ventilation, incorrect placement of the breathing tube, failure to monitor oxygen levels, blood pressure that drops too low, or malfunctioning equipment that goes unnoticed.
If a provider administers too much anesthesia, it can suppress breathing beyond safe limits. In some cases, delayed response to airway problems or cardiac arrest results in prolonged oxygen deprivation.
Serious injuries that can be caused by brain damage
Without oxygen, the brain can suffer several different types of injury. Among the most serious are Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury (HII) or Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE). This can lead to permanent mental impairment, including memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and loss of function.
Patients can also develop severe motor problems that can require lifelong physical therapy or mobility aids. In the most severe cases, patients fall into a coma or vegetative state.
Other patients may experience long-term behavioral changes, speech difficulties, or seizures. Because the brain controls every bodily function, even minor hypoxic injury can produce a wide range of disabilities that affect a person’s ability to work, care for themselves, or enjoy daily life.
When providers overlook warning signs or fail to act quickly, the damage can be irreversible. Victims and their families often face overwhelming emotional, financial, and medical challenges. The team at Weisser Law is here to uncover what went wrong, secure compensation for lifelong care needs, and hold negligent providers accountable.
Contact Weisser Law today for your free consultation.