Complications in head and neck surgery and how to avoid trouble

Increasing litigation in recent years has made it more and more necessary for the surgeon to be aware of the problems, pitfalls and complications which may arise as a result of surgery. The risks are compounded in the head and neck not only because of its complex anatomy but also because of addition...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of laryngology and otology 1989-10, Vol.103 (10), p.926-929
Main Author: Evans, P. H. Rhys
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Clinical Competence
Head - surgery
Head and Neck Neoplasms - surgery
Humans
Main Articles
Neck - surgery
Postoperative Complications - mortality
Postoperative Complications - prevention & control
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Summary:Increasing litigation in recent years has made it more and more necessary for the surgeon to be aware of the problems, pitfalls and complications which may arise as a result of surgery. The risks are compounded in the head and neck not only because of its complex anatomy but also because of additional difficulties relating to surgery of the upper aero-digestive tract. Some problems are unavoidable. The potential risks of surgery and its complications should be carefully weighed against the natural history of the pathological process and a realistic expectation of the surgical outcome compared with alternative treatments. Other problems may result from genuine mistakes, but a number of complications are caused through actions or omissions which are avoidable and which in certain circumstances may be construed as professional negligence. Some of the more common pitfalls and complications in head and neck surgery are discussed with particular reference to their causation and possible avoidance.
ISSN:0022-2151
1748-5460
DOI:10.1017/S0022215100110527