More people than previously thought may be regaining consciousness while paralysed during surgery.

A British Journal of Anaesthesia study says the issue may be under-reported because people do not remember it, but do still experience it.

Researchers want increased monitoring of muscle relaxing drugs that induce paralysis while under general anaesthetic.

Professor Phil Hopkins from the University of Leeds was involved in the study.

A report last year found around one patient in every 19,000 reported Accidental Awareness during General Anaesthesia (AAGA) after being put under general anaesthetic.

It happens when general anaesthesia is intended, but the patient remains conscious.

The findings came from the largest ever study of awareness, which was conducted over three years by the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) and the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland (AAGBI).

The study showed that the majority of episodes of awareness are short-lived, occur before surgery starts or after it finishes, and do not always cause concern to patients.