What Are the Dangers of Blood Clots With Surgery?

Blood clots are one of the most common complications associated with surgery. Although they are a normal part of the body's healing process, blood clots can become extremely dangerous in certain cases. After surgery, it is important to follow prevention tips to avoid the formation and complications of blood clots.

Identification

• A blood clot, or thrombus, is essentially a clump of blood platelets and red blood cells with a fibrin mesh holding it all together. Although blood clots are a normal part of the body's repair process, they occasionally develop during or after surgery.

Causes

• Blood clots form when blood stops moving or when a blood vessel becomes damaged, and surgery commonly triggers both of these conditions. Surgery almost always interrupts blood vessels in the area, and many patients are required to stay in bed for long periods of time after surgery, which causes blood flow to decrease significantly.

Risks

• While most blood clots dissolve on their own, some can cause serious medical complications. Occasionally, a clot will block blood flow to the heart, brain or lungs. In these cases, a heart attack, stroke or pulmonary embolism may occur.

Symptoms

• Unfortunately, blood clots do not always cause symptoms. However, unexplained swelling, warmth, pain and tenderness after surgery may indicate the formation of a blood clot. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your physician as soon as possible.

Prevention/Solution

• To prevent formation of blood clots after surgery, your physician will likely recommend that you take anticoagulants. Compression stockings or sleeves should also be worn to encourage regular blood flow until normal range of motion has returned.