The Complications of Nerve Surgery

Nerve surgery is performed most often by a neurosurgeon. This types of surgery involves manipulating the nerve to access nerve fibers or to release the nerve from pressure. Among the reasons for nerve surgery are nerve compression and neural tumors.

General Surgery Complications

• With any surgery there is risk. Patients may have a reaction to the anesthesia, causing a range of problems from hives to death. The surgeon may nick an internal organ by mistake, leading to internal bleeding or specific organ function issues. Arteries and veins near the operation site can also suffer accidental cuts and cause internal bleeding. Sometimes patients have difficulty breathing after coming off the ventilator immediately after surgery.

Nerve Manipulation Complications

• When a neurosurgeon manipulates a nerve, sometimes it causes trauma to the nerve. The nerve trauma can lead to numbness, tingling, pins and needles, hypersensitivity or pain. Nerve trauma is usually temporary, but it can take up to several years for the nerve to heal. In rare cases, nerve trauma symptoms are permanent. Sometimes during surgery, the doctor severs nerve fibers. This leads to permanent loss of nerve function and constant numbness along the nerve. Paralysis is a risk if the surgeon is operating on the nerves of the spinal cord or brain.

Post-Operative Complications

• Like any other surgery, there is a risk of post-operative infection of the surgical wound. Surgical stitches, dissolvable or not, may become infected. Blood clots can form, especially if a patient has to stay in bed. Individuals who have clotting problems are at high risk of developing these clots also known as deep vein thrombosis. These patients usually take blood thinners to minimize this risk. Extensive scarring can also occur from the surgical site. Bruising and swelling are common effects of surgery.

Prevention/Solution

• Ask questions before surgery to make sure you understand the procedure and all possible complications. Make a list and add to it as questions arise, then take the list to the preoperative visit. A list can help ensure all the important questions get asked.

Considerations

• Other health problems can also carry specific risks during and after surgery. Heart, lung, immune system and other problems all lead to additional risks both during and after surgery. The surgeon and anesthesiologist need to know about all health problems in order to best care for the patient. They can also assess the specific risk to the patient based on all health issues.

Warning

• If the patient has any questions or issues following their surgery, he needs to call the surgeon immediately. If he can't reach the surgeon, the patient should proceed to the emergency room, since even seemingly minor issues may be indicative of a large problem.