Risky medical procedures

How risky are modern medical procedures?

All medical procedures are risky, even with modern technology always getting better and safer, so it's natural to be anxious about the risks even if your medical procedure is a small one.  

Some medical procedures carry a greater risk factor than others, such as:

• emergency medical procedures 
• digestive tract procedures due to the risk of other complications
• invasive surgical procedure
• medical procedures involving anaesthesia
• surgery with bleeding issues
• medical procedures where there is a risk of blood clots

Below we explain some of the riskier medical procedures and the risk associated with these.

Abdominal Surgery - What is it?

Abdominal exploration surgery is an operation to explore the abdomen. Often, once the abdomen is opened, the surgeon can spot the problem and fix it as part of the abdominal surgery. Laparotomy, for example, is a common type of abdominal exploratory surgery.

A pancreatectomy is another type of abdominal surgery where the pancreas is surgically removed.

Abdominal Surgery - The Risks

Abdominal surgery is a risky medical procedure. For a patient undergoing a pancreatectomy, for example, the risks can include:

• bleeding after the operation 
• delayed gastric emptying
• internal anastomotic leaking.

Organ Transplant - What is it?

An organ transplant is when an organ from another person is given to a patient who's own organ is considered no longer fit for purpose. It is a very dangerous operation and the patient will need medication to prevent their body from rejecting the new organ.

Organ Transplant - The Risks

As well as the risk of organ rejection, when even the medication given fails to stop the immune system from rejecting it, there are other risks involved in an organ transplant. For a liver transplant, for example, risks include:

• infection
• excessive bleeding
• blockage of blood vessels
• bile ducts leaking
• the new organ not working correctly

Craniectomy- What is it?

A craniectomy is a type of brain surgery and one of the riskiest surgeries. This medical procedure involves the removal of part of your skull to relieve any pressure on your brain. Although modern technology means it is a more common procedure, it is still very risky.   

Craniectomy - The Risks

This medical procedure subjects a patient to risks such as:

• infection
• bleeding
• more brain damage
• loss of vision
• inability to move
• loss of speech
• loss of memory
• inability to coordinate.

Brain Surgery - What is it?

Brain surgery is an operation on the brain and can include, for example, a craniotomy procedure which is detailed above. Brain surgery can also include tumour ablation procedures which can get rid of a dangerous tumour. It can also include brain aneurysm repair.

Brain Surgery - The Risks

 Brain surgery has many risks associated with it and includes the risk of:

• serious infection which can result in death
• blood clots
• seizures
• swelling of the brain
• a brain haemorrhage
• pneumonia

There are also post-surgery risks such as low blood pressure and stroke.

Cancer Removal - What is it?

Cancer removal procedures are where a surgeon takes cancerous tissue or a tumour out of your body. Cancer removal surgery can take place in most parts of the body.

Particularly dangerous cancer removal procedures include pneumonectomy and lobectomy procedures which are medical procedures to remove lung cancer. Mastectomy, which removes breast cancer tissue or tumours, can also be particularly dangerous.

Cancer Removal - The Risks

Cancer removal is risky because the surgeon is removing organs or tissue from your body so could result in difficulties. For example:

• blood clots
• uncontrollable bleeding 
• excessive bleeding
• organs stop functioning;
• acute pain
• potential for cancer to return. 

Open Heart Surgery - What is it?

Open heart surgery is where a cardiothoracic surgeon accesses the heart muscle by making a six-inch cut into the patient's chest. The operation may be to allow a:

• surgical valve repair
• replacement of the ventricular restoration
• another serious heart condition

The surgeon needs the heart muscle to be still during this medical procedure so a heart-lung machine is used, which means the heart does not need to circulate blood to the body while surgery is in progress.

Open Heart Surgery - The Risks

Open heart surgery is a very risky medical procedure which can cause for example:

• a wound infection such as when surgical instruments become contaminated during the procedure
• complications where a patient is diabetic

There are also risks associated with during surgery and post-surgery such as:

• stroke
• heart attack
• kidney failure
• lung failure
• blood loss
• irregular heartbeat
• developing blood clots
• loss of memory
• breathing difficulties

Gastric Bypass - What is it?

A gastric bypass is a medical procedure that changes the way your small intestine and stomach process your food. The results are supposed to help a person lose weight. Although laparoscopic surgery has reduced the risks associated with this medical procedure, it is still a risky operation. 

Gastric Bypass - The Risks

This medical procedure is risky due to the close proximity of the organs and the many layers of fat a surgeon has to cut during the surgery. Risks include, for example:

• bleeding excessively
• infection

If my surgery goes wrong, could I make a claim? 

Regardless of the type of medical surgery carried out, if it goes wrong, you could be able to make a medical negligence claim. This is also commonly termed  ‘clinical negligence'. You may be entitled to make a medical negligence claim where a health professional has failed in the duty of care they owe you. This could mean the surgery went wrong, an accident occurred or you suffered substandard care. 

If you want to make a medical negligence claim for medical surgery which has gone wrong, National Accident Helpline can help you. Simply begin your claim here, and we will take you through the claims process. You can trust our specialist medical negligence solicitors to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.

Call , or if it's easier,  you can request a call back here. 

How could a medical negligence claim aid my recovery?

If your hospital surgery has resulted in medical negligence,  whilst you cannot turn the clock back or get the results you expected, a medical negligence claim can help your recovery. A claim, for example, can:

• give you financial compensation to aid your recovery and help make any changes you require to adapt to the effect of your bad surgery
• ensure that the hospital responsible for your medical procedure  understands they made a mistake and make amends for this
• be an optimistic move for your mindset after the suffering endured from the risky medical procedure.