Hysterectomies are a common procedure and are generally undertaken successfully without serious disruptions to the quality of a woman’s life. However, there are risks associated with hysterectomy that should be evaluated in advance of the procedure. For instance, a woman may be susceptible to blood clots after the surgery. In addition, there is a risk of infection. In an abdominal hysterectomy the risks of infection are even higher than in a vaginal hysterectomy.
There are cases where there is excessive bleeding during the operation and afterwards. Some women have adverse reactions to anesthesia as well.
Risk Of Blood Clots After Hysterectomy
Since hysterectomy is categorized as a major surgical operation, the risk of blood clots in deep veins has to be kept in mind, although the percentage of this complication is very small. It is also called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The blood clot from deep veins may sometimes travel to the lungs and this may become a life threatening situation.
Hospital staff and doctors are aware of this risk and therefore utmost care is taken to prevent it. To avoid deep vein thrombosis and to increase blood circulation in legs, patient is encouraged to be mobile as early as possible after the operation.
Pelvic Infection Post Hysterectomy
Infection in pelvis is another risk factor after hysterectomy operation. This may be because of some post operative bleeding that has collected in the pelvic cavity to form a hematoma (blood clot). Hematoma can get infected. Patient may present with symptoms such as high fever, anemia.
A suspected hematoma can be detected on clinical vaginal examination or with a sonogram. Usually the infection is treated conservatively with antibiotics. Hematoma may resolve after a course of antibiotics or the blood may drain from vagina gradually sometimes the discharge is heavy and unpleasant.
Excessive bleeding: There may be excessive blood loss while performing hysterectomy. The patient may need blood transfusion. Depending on loss of blood, the doctor may recommend the amount of blood that needs to be transfused.
Other Risks Of Hysterectomy
Women considering having a hysterectomy should also consider risks of hysterectomy that impact the structure and function of other key organs. For instance, women have experienced problems as a result of their surgery with the urinary tract and bladder. Further, on occasion the rectum has been damaged in the process of a hysterectomy.
Damage to the bladder and rectum may contribute to incontinence. Injury to these organs can lead to additional surgeries with risks of their own. Another important consideration is that women who are premenopausal before their surgery will experience early onset of menopause especially if her ovaries are damaged or removed in the process of having a hysterectomy.
Side Effects Of Hysterectomy
Risk of hysterectomy can also include side effects and interactions from medications prescribed to a post-hysterectomy patient.
Women may have allergic reactions to the medicine, for example. They must also be mindful that their immunity may be compromised by the procedure or medications so they may be vulnerable to colds and viruses. In addition, the use of pain killers can lead to constipation.
Women must also be aware of behaviors that are indirectly risks of hysterectomy. For instance, caution must be exercised to avoid lifting heavy objects that can reopen the incision. Further it can lead to incision hernia, in abdominal hysterectomy. Proper care can help reduce the impact of these risks.