Post-Operative Complications Can Develop After Discharge
Leaving the hospital or surgical facility does not mean the clinical risk period is over.
Some complications may occur within hours of surgery. Others can develop days or even weeks later.
The list below shows how post-operative complications may emerge across different stages of recovery.
0–24 Hours
Hematoma
Respiratory depression
Hypoxia
Anesthesia-related complications
Cardiac arrhythmias
Hypotension
Acute medication reactions
Acute post-operative delirium
Urinary retention
Hemorrhage
24–72 Hours
Fat embolism syndrome
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Pulmonary embolism (PE)
Respiratory complications
Pneumonia
Hypoxemia
Delayed bleeding
Hematoma
Fluid and electrolyte imbalance
Post-operative delirium
Days 3–7
Surgical-site infection
Wound infection
Cellulitis
Wound dehiscence
Seroma
Hematoma
Deep vein thrombosis
Pulmonary embolism
Pneumonia
Urinary tract infection
Dehydration
Delayed wound healing
Week 1 and Beyond
Deep vein thrombosis
Pulmonary embolism
Surgical-site infection
Deep tissue infection
Delayed wound healing
Wound dehiscence
Persistent seroma
Persistent hematoma
Pressure injury
Mobility-related complications
Procedure-specific complications
Potentially Life-Threatening Complications
Pulmonary embolism
Fat embolism syndrome
Severe hemorrhage
Sepsis
Severe respiratory compromise
Serious cardiac complications
Severe medication or allergic reactions
The recovery support you choose after surgery may be one of the most important decisions you make about your recovery. In some circumstances, it may even help save your life.