EC Microbiology

Introduction: Deviations that take place from the normal course of healing post-surgery are termed postoperative complications. Complications can be associated with any minor or major surgeries regardless of the best efforts put in by the surgeon preoperatively and postoperatively. As the number of surgical procedures is increasing over the years, so are the complications and the mental and financial burden posed to the patient, their family, and the surgeon.

Aim of Work: This review aims at overviewing the most common postoperative complications and their management.

Methodology: The review is a comprehensive research of PUBMED and Google scholar from the year 2004 to 2020.

Conclusion: Postoperative complications can be treated by close monitoring of the patient post-surgery. Preoperative preparations for certain risk factors like bleeding disorders, cardiac or respiratory impairment, obesity, etc. also help in reducing the incidence of post-op complications. If the patient shows any signs of complications, he should be immediately taken into observation and aggressive treatment planning should be done at a multidisciplinary level in order to manage the complication at the earliest. Postoperative complications pose a great financial and psychosocial burden on the patient as well as the healthcare system. Early management of such complications leads to a faster healing time for the patient and decreased rate of morbidity and mortality.

Keywords: Surgical Site Infection (SSI); Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS); Hypovolemic Shock; Atelectasis; Thromboembolism

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