Invasive surgical procedures can cause patients to experience long and difficult recoveries, even when their procedures are performed without incident. Across Oregon, patients undergo different surgeries each and every day to improve the quality of their lives. In...
Experienced • Established • Effective
Surgical Errors
Surgical errors linked to burnout by surgical residents
We all feel tired and overworked from time to time. Whether it is due to the demands of a professional life, personal life or a combination of both, feeling exhausted can impact a person in a wide range of ways. Focus, decision-making and performance could be...
When is it safest to undergo a surgical procedure?
American College of Surgeons data shows that the average person in this country undergoes just over nine surgeries during their lifetime. Many patients follow their doctor's recommendations and never get a second opinion. Patients also allow schedulers to decide when...
Wrong-site surgery and a pneumonectomy
No type of wrong-site surgery is minor to the patient. Even if the damage is not permanent, having a procedure carried out on the wrong location leads to pain and suffering, unnecessary time in the hospital, lost wages, high bills and many other complications.That...
Anesthesia doesn’t put you to sleep
If doctors are going to put you under general anesthesia, they'll often tell you that you'll be asleep for the procedure. They just do this to calm your nerves and make it sound more natural, however. The reality is that anesthesia does not put you to sleep.It puts...
Excessive blood loss during surgery
Some level of blood loss is to be expected during major surgery. There is no way to avoid it. The surgical team will then plan ahead to prevent blood loss and set up blood transfusions when necessary.That said, excessive blood loss is very dangerous and often fatal,...
Can you treat cancer with surgery?
People often talk about chemotherapy as one method of treating cancer, and it certainly is common. It is notorious for being hard on the body, as the chemo itself can make you feel sick -- as it destroys the cancer.It is important to note, though, that chemo is not...
Understanding C-section risks
A C-section is still major surgery. People often do not think of it that way since it is so common. However, it is a serious procedure that carries a high level of risk.This isn't to frighten you out of having one. At times, doctors choose to perform a C-section...
How do doctors treat a brain tumor?
You begin having headaches. It goes on for a while and seems far too chronic to be something like dehydration. Eventually, doctors discover that you have a brain tumor.They advise you to get treatment right away, and you agree with them. What you're wondering is what...
A terrifying surgical mistake: Anesthesia awareness
When you think of surgical mistakes, you probably think of the surgeon making a clear error. Wrong-site surgery is often cited. People worry about having the procedure done on the wrong body part and waking up to find out that their life has been forever altered.That...