Emergency surgery is even more nerve-wracking. If you’re being taken to an emergency surgery, it is usually because you have a serious, or even life-threatening, health condition. Over 3 million Americans are admitted for emergency surgery each year.
Planned or elective surgery carries risks that emergency surgeries do not. Emergency surgery is performed as quickly as possible to avoid complications. Emergency surgery is reserved for people with life-threatening and dangerous health conditions.
Here are the five emergency surgeries you should avoid at all cost!
Small Bowel Resection
The small bowel is removed during this surgery. The surgery can take up to four hours and is usually performed on very sick patients, increasing the associated risks. This procedure is used to treat a wide range of conditions. The most common ones are bowel obstructions (malignant and benign), cancer, or tumors within the bowel.
Gallbladder removal
The surgery is not dangerous by nature – many gallbladders can be removed safely and quickly. This is a very common procedure. This surgery is safer when done in a planned manner, as an elective procedure for gallbladder problems. Patients with chronic gallbladder problems may opt to have the gallbladder removed.
A patient with severe gallbladder blockage or infection will require an urgent gallbladder surgery, increasing the risk of serious complications.
Appendectomy
In the United States, appendicitis is a common condition. Appendicitis may be common but that doesn’t mean it is any less dangerous. Appendicitis may cause sepsis which can lead to serious side effects or even death.
Emergency appendectomies can be very useful. Appendectomy is the removal of the appendix. These surgeries are high-risk due to a small window of opportunity for a patient who has appendicitis before they develop sepsis.
Laparotomy
Laparotomies are performed by surgeons who manually open the abdomen. No other treatment is involved. This procedure is usually performed to detect a suspected tumor or cancer. This procedure can be used to implant a feeding tube into a patient who is unable to eat on their own.
The high mortality rate of this surgery is likely due to the fact that it’s performed on individuals with severe, life-threatening diseases.
Partial Colectomy
A partial colonectomy involves the removal of a part of the colon. The underlying conditions that are most commonly associated with partial colectomy can make this emergency surgery risky. Patients who need an emergency partial colonectomy usually have severe conditions like diverticulitis. They are at high-risk for complications, infections and even death.
Conclusion
Emergency surgery is a serious matter. Modern medicine allows doctors to perform emergency surgery with high precision and safety. The best result will be achieved if you follow your doctor’s treatment plan. You may never have to undergo one of these urgent surgeries.
