Hand surgery may be performed as a corrective procedure, or a cosmetic surgery, or both. In each case, it will involve certain risks, which are inherent to almost any surgical procedure. During the pre-op consultation, the surgeon will educate the patient about all aspects of hand surgery, including the potential risks and safety aspects.
As part of the standard protocol, patients are required to sign consent forms to ensure that they have fully understood the procedure as well as the potential risks associated with it. Board certified and sensational plastic surgeon Dr. Bram Kaufman provides hand surgery to patients in Beachwood, Pepper Pike, Cleveland, OH, and surrounding communities in The Buckeye State.
Common Risks
If the hand surgery is performed to repair damaged tendons, it will have the following potential risks:
Infection
About five percent of the tendon repair patients may develop an infection. The risk is higher if the hand has sustained external damage and the wound is exposed to contaminants. Crushing injuries also increase the risk of infection. Signs of infection may include persistent redness and swelling in the hand, increasing pain or tenderness, or high fever following the hand surgery or plastic surgery. Common infections are often successfully treated with a course of antibiotics.
Repair Failure
In rare cases, a repair failure may occur. It will typically happen soon after the hand surgery when the tendon is at its weakest. If the patient fails to follow the surgeon’s instructions correctly about resting the operated tendon, a rupture may occur. Falls, trips or collisions may also cause rupture of the repaired tendon. The condition may necessitate additional surgery.
Tendon Adhesion
Tendon adhesion occurs when the tendons get stuck with the surrounding tissue and the hand movement becomes restricted. In severe cases of tendon adhesion, surgery may be required to free the stuck tendon. If the patient finds difficulty in moving the hand during rehabilitation or recovery phase, they should contact the surgeon.
Surgical Risks
Some of the potential risks which are typically associated with surgical procedures such as hand surgery include:
- Bleeding (hematoma)
- Blood clots
- Infection
- Poor reaction to anesthesia
- Unfavorable scarring
- Change in skin sensation
- Skin contour irregularities
- Skin discoloration
- Poor healing of incisions
- Allergies to tape, suture materials and glues
- Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
- Damage to deeper structures
- Persistent pain
- Possibility of revision surgery
Additional Risks Specific to Hand Surgery
- Recurrence or non-improvement of carpal tunnel syndrome
- Extensor Tendon and Flexor Tendon: Failure of tendon repair, tendon scarring, poor function restoration, additional incisions in case tendon retraction
- Tenolysis: Tendon rupture, recurrent tendon scarring, abnormal position of the tendon, fluid accumulation, wound breakdown
- Tendon scarring and non-improvement in case of trigger finger
Hand surgery is a specialized procedure that must be performed by a trained and experienced surgeon in order to minimize the risks. Patients in Beachwood, Pepper Pike, Cleveland, OH, and other cities and suburbs in The Birthplace of Aviation State have an opportunity to receive hand surgery from the profound and dedicated plastic surgeon Dr. Kaufman.
To learn more about cosmetic treatment and procedures or to schedule a consultation by Cleveland Ohio area plastic surgeon, Dr. Bram Kaufman, please contact us at 1-216-778-2245 or click here.