Taking into account modern medical doctrine, planned anesthesia is safe and is carried out according to the most modern professional guidelines. In recent years, we have had access to newer anesthetics, technologically advanced anesthesia machines, newer, precise equipment for monitoring or controlling patients' vital functions, and well-trained anesthesiologists (six years of specialization after completing medical studies), all of which contribute to the safe implementation of anesthesia.

However, anesthesia is sometimes associated with a certain risk, which according to world statistics is very small. The risk is higher in people whose general health is poor than in young, otherwise healthy people. The occurrence of complications is mainly influenced by the patient's poor health and the complexity of the surgical procedure. Complications are therefore more common in patients with overweight, diabetes, heart and lung diseases, uncontrolled blood pressure, smokers, patients with neurological diseases, etc. Complications also occur more often in patients who have recently had a cold or are not completely fasting. Certain complications are not directly related to anesthesia and can also occur due to the surgery itself and the procedures related to it, such as complications related to the patient's position on the operating table. In older people, complications (for example, confusion after waking up) can be influenced by the change in environment itself.

Most complications are mild, but more serious complications occur very rarely. Possible complications of both general and regional anesthesia are listed on the anesthesia consent form, which the patient receives by mail at the same time as the invitation to the examination.

Before anesthesia, each patient will have the opportunity to talk to the anesthesiologist and get answers to all possible questions and concerns regarding anesthesia and possible complications or risks. The anesthesiologist will learn about the patient's associated diseases and their regular therapy in the clinic, review the results that the patient will bring with them to the examination and, based on everything, individually decide on the safest anesthesia for the planned surgery and also give the patient all explanations and instructions, especially regarding taking medications.

If the anesthesiologist finds any abnormalities during the anesthesia check-up that could significantly affect the course of anesthesia, he will refer the patient for additional tests (for example, to a cardiologist, for an ultrasound examination of the heart, carotid arteries, for a thyroid examination, etc.) for safety reasons and to reduce the possibility of complications. If necessary, he will also ask the personal physician to correct laboratory results (anemia, low potassium, etc.) or to regulate blood pressure. In this case, the surgery will need to be postponed until the diagnostics are performed and the patient obtains the necessary results or the health problem is resolved. In this way, the possibility of complications can be greatly reduced.

However, when, during an examination in the anesthesiology clinic, the anesthesiologist determines that the patient's health condition is very poor and anticipates that the patient may need intensive postoperative treatment with a machine for artificial ventilation and heart support after surgery, the patient is recommended to have the surgery performed in one of the hospitals that have an intensive care unit. The anesthesiologist also refers a patient who will need dialysis after surgery to another institution; this option is not available at MD medicina.