Certainly, all surgery carries inherent risk of bleeding, infection, and damage to other structures. For a generally healthy patient with no other medical issues or problems, the risks for all of these is usually 3% or less (117). In the case of hernia surgery risks of hernia recurrence and complications from mesh placement are also considered and discussed (see Mesh section). These risks are dependent on a variety of factors including previous operations, history of smoking or infection, poorly controlled diabetes, previously placed mesh, and other medical problems.
There are several tools that we use to assess an individual patient’s risk for surgery. One is a Risk Calculator from the American College of Surgeons. This is a tool is derived from collecting years of data from patients who have had similar operations and provides a unique score and risk profile. This tool is used at the initial visit to assess and develop a strategy to make the patient as healthy as possible prior to surgery. For more information on how these tools are used, see the Optimization section.
Risk is unavoidable in surgery. However, much can be done to mitigate and manage it with careful and thoughtful planning and preparation. We will not offer a patient an operation if the perceived or calculated risks are greater than the potential benefit the operation would provide.
