Postoperative management
First published: 29 November 2019
Summary
Efficient postoperative management is aimed at providing a rapid and uncomplicated recovery from a particular procedure. This hinges on the recognition of potential problems that might be associated with that procedure and the individual risks that might be associated with that patient. The patient's full understanding of the procedure in terms of a risk–benefit analysis is paramount. The need for any prophylactic measures such as antibiotic cover or thromboprophylaxis must be identified and acted on. The medical practitioner must be alert in the postoperative period to the common complications including infection and fluid balance issues, know how to recognise these issues and institute appropriate management.
