What is surgery?
Surgery or a surgical procedure (operation) is medical treatment in which instruments are used to remove or repair a damaged or diseased part of the body. Operations often involve the surgeon making an incision (cut), suturing (stitching) or physically manipulating parts of the body. They can involve fixing or grafting, removing, tying (ligating) or merely examining structures within the body, depending on the purpose of the operation.
During surgery the patient will need either local or general anaesthetic, ventilation (using a ventilator machine to help them breathe whilst under general anaesthetic). They may need support with managing their blood flow (perfusion) if the operation is on their heart. They also need careful monitoring of important indicators of their general condition, such as their heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen levels. These supportive measures keep them safe whilst the operation takes place.
Medication may be needed before, during or after the procedure, for example, to protect the patient from infection or to prevent blood clots (thrombosis) if they are known to be at risk. Scans may be used before or during the procedure to help locate the part needing surgery and protect the surrounding area.
Whilst surgery is often needed to help treat or investigate illness in a patient who is already ill, surgical patients are entitled to:
- clear and thorough personalised information about the operation, its risks and its benefits;
- safe and effective anaesthetic;
- safe surgical technique;
- appropriate management of their health before, during and after the operation;
- appropriate management of complications.
Where a patient is harmed by negligent handling of the diagnosis and consent processes, or their anaesthetic, surgical or surrounding healthcare management, they may be entitled to claim compensation.
Our experienced medical negligence solicitors have helped seriously injured clients recover compensation following negligent NHS and private surgical care for over 30 years.