Bleeding After Bladder Surgery

The bladder is the organ located near the pelvis with a muscular, flexible wall needed to store approximately two cups of urine. Urine passes through this organ before reaching the urethra to exit the body. Bladder surgery is used to repair various injuries to the bladder. Some surgical procedures are used to enlarge the bladder to improve its function. Other surgical procedures are used when people have bladder cancer to remove tumors on the organ. In severe cases, surgery may be needed to completely remove the bladder. Minimal bleeding after bladder surgery is expected a few days after the procedures. However, people who experience major bleeding may need additional medical attention.

Transurethral Bladder Surgery

• The American Cancer Society states that transurethral bladder surgery is used in the early stages of bladder cancer as a diagnostic procedure that removes and destroys tumors. Surgeons place a cystoscope with a wire loop on the end through a patient's urethra to remove the tumors. People recover from this minimally-invasive surgical procedure in less than two weeks because of the minor side effects. Minimal bleeding after transurethral bladder surgery may show up in the urine. This bleeding occurs because scabs inside the bladder have loosened.

Cystectomy

• Cystectomy, an invasive procedure, removes part of the bladder or the entire bladder of people with cancer. The American Cancer Society states that general anesthesia is needed to perform this procedure in which surgeons must make an incision in the abdomen in order to remove the bladder. Excessive bleeding occurs after cystectomy bladder surgery, especially if not performed by a qualified bladder surgeon. People stay in the hospital almost 10 days for observation and recovery, and patients cannot participate in normal activities for four to six weeks.

Bladder Augmentation

• Children's Hospital Boston says that bladder augmentation surgery is performed on children with underdeveloped bladders for conditions such as spina bifida, bladder exstrophy or other forms of bladder obstructions. In this complex procedure, surgeons reconstruct the bladder in which portions of the intestine or stomach are attached to the bladder to increase its size and maximize its stretching ability. Severe bleeding after this bladder surgery occurs because of infection, and doctors treat the infection with antibiotics.

Sling Procedure

• This bladder surgical procedure, usually performed on women, supports the urethra to prevent leakage caused by coughing, sneezing or laughing. The Cleveland Clinic states that this minimally-invasive procedure creates a hammock to hold the bladder up to reduce incontinence, and people only have to stay in the hospital overnight. To minimize bleeding after this bladder surgery, a woman must pack her vagina with gauze and bandages. If bleeding continues, this could indicate that infection has set in and doctors may have to treat wounds and prescribe antibiotics.

Retropubic Suspension

• The U.S. National Library of Medicine states that retropubic suspension surgery corrects leaking caused by urinary incontinence. It closes the urethra to prevent leaks when people laugh, cough, sneeze or exercise. The surgery takes two hours, and patients can leave the hospital two or three days after the procedure. Packing the vagina with gauze for 24 to 26 hours prevents bleeding after this bladder surgical procedure. If infections in the vaginal region develop, doctors prescribe antibiotics.