Surgical procedures, even those shorter and more routine ones, pose certain risks to your health even though they’re carried out to improve the quality of your health. This is why a surgeon will provide you with a list of all the major risks, however unlikely they are so that you are prepared and can make a decision whether to go through with the procedure or not.
To expand on this, we’ve listed some of the common complications that patients can face and how they are dealt with.
Blood Loss
The body is packed with tiny blood vessels and veins, as well as larger ones and critical arteries that transport blood around the body. When a surgeon is cutting through tissue, it’s possible that they could accidentally sever a larger vein, causing some blood loss. Special techniques in the anaesthesia process lower blood pressure which slows the rate of blood loss in these events, and there are also special products known as haemostatics which stop bleeds too. Without these procedures, accidental blood loss can lead to serious complications and even death, whether through negligence or unavoidable circumstances. Surgeons are trained to act with the utmost care in their profession, so it’s very serious when malpractice occurs and a claim can be made.
Accidental Damage
It’s not just damage to blood vessels that can be caused by surgical negligence. Many different areas of the body can sustain damage from these procedures. The anaesthetist can cause damage when intubating, for example. Your teeth, throat and tongue can all be damaged here, even when they use great care. During the surgery itself, you might find that there can be irreparable damage that can be caused by a surgeon that has let their attention slip or is rushing the procedure, especially on complex areas like the spine. Spinal injury claims information can be found at Gadsby Wicks if you’ve experienced damage following surgery like this.
Anaesthesia Complications
As well as the physical damage that can be caused when undergoing anaesthesia, the drug itself can cause problems too. Damage to nerves can be caused by your body being positioned incorrectly during the procedure, and it’s also possible that you could have an allergic reaction, going into anaphylactic shock. There are a number of other rare complications that can occur, including cardiac arrest, stroke, brain injury, malignant hyperthermia, and death. If these have been caused by a lack of care or attention on behalf of the anaesthetist, then it could be a case of negligence and may need to be taken further.
Infection
Our skin is our first line of defence against bacteria and other harmful pathogens. When a surgeon opens up that barrier, similar to if you sustained an injury causing a laceration, the wound can become infected. Surgeons are meant to take the utmost precautions when it comes to avoiding spreading bacteria. Protective clothing like gloves, masks, aprons, and other things are worn to reduce the risk of this spread and protect themselves. Unfortunately, bacteria is everywhere, and infections can still occur even with the most focused and dedicated care to avoid these getting into a wound.
