Deaths within 24 hours of surgical procedures at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital (January, 1976 to December, 1987).

Mortality, possibly related to anaesthesia, was reviewed prospectively over a 12-year period. There were 186 deaths in 129,107 anaesthetics. Mortality was predominantly confined to the 15-44, and 45-64-year age groups. The overall mortality rate was 1:694. Sixteen deaths were directly related to regional and local anaesthesia and three were directly related to general anaesthetic management. In 66 deaths, general anaesthesia was considered to be contributory, and 101 deaths were considered to be unassociated with anaesthesia.