Postsurgical complications and their clinical management.

Abstract

Thus, we have briefly touched upon several sources of potential postsurgical complications. When these various conditions arise, they most often interfere with the overall healing process or total recovery period. In addition to causing aggravation and concern to the surgeon, they frequently complicate the operative impressions of the patient. The basic prevention techniques discussed should provide a substantial decrease in postsurgical complications. In summary, proper medical history and physical examination, vascular evaluation, biomechanical, radiographic, and laboratory studies are important. To employ good surgical preparation and sterile technique is also an important preventive measure. Plan your site of incision to maximize the approach to the bone correction while minimizing trauma to the underlying soft tissue structures. Always be prepared with adequate and back up instrumentation, including new surgical blades, burs, or Brophies. Use the instrumentation that best accomplishes the work proposed or contemplated. Good tissue handling and dissection along with adequate flushing of the wound site with sterile saline solutions are necessary. The well-informed patient can also reduce or prevent postoperative complications by the fact that they have been educated and informed about the pre-, intra-, and postoperative course of events. In conclusion, we have presented the most common postsurgical complications, their possible etiology, prevention, and management. Hopefully, these subjects will stimulate the practitioner to be more aware of such complications and therefore recognize and treat these less than desirable events appropriately.