Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsYour Health HistoryThe Surgery/SurgeonAnesthesiaUnderstanding the Risk

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Your Health History

The Surgery/Surgeon

Anesthesia

Understanding the Risk

If you are consideringsurgerythere is always a risk of death due to the procedure or anesthesia that is given during the procedure. This is true of outpatient procedures and inpatient procedures, even if the surgery is an optional procedure, such as cosmetic plastic surgeryWhile there is always a risk of death, this risk varies widely between types of surgeries and patients. This is why surgery should never be taken lightly; the possibility of death is very real, even with minor dental procedures.Some surgeries have a much higher risk level than others. However, it is very rare for a healthy individual to die during a minor dental procedure. Other procedures are a much higher risk.For example, during someopen heart surgeries, the heart is actually stopped for almost an hour before being restarted. That surgery has a higher risk than carpal tunnel surgery, which is performed on a patient’s hand and wrist, often in an outpatient surgery center.Your Health HistoryYour personal health history, age, weight, family health history, and general state of health will directly impact your personal level of risk when having surgery. Your risk factors include things you can modify and those you can’t.Modifiable risk factors include:SmokingPhysical activityExcess weightCompliance with medication and pre-surgical preparationUse of alcohol or controlled substancesManagement of underlying conditions, such as high blood pressure or high blood sugarOther factors you can’t modify include:AgeCoronary artery diseaseDiabetesChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)CancerOther chronic diseasesThe Surgery and the SurgeonThe type of surgery being performed plays a huge role in how high the risk of death will be.In general, urgent or emergency surgery carries the highest risk.This may occur with trauma, such as a car accident, after a serious medical event (such as cardiac arrest or ruptured aortic aneurysm), for appendicitis or gallbladder disease, or repairs to the bowels.Elective surgery has a lower risk.This can include weight loss surgery, inguinal hernia repair, partial mastectomy, or cosmetic plastic surgery.One study of 2,800,069 hospital surgical admissions in Poland found these types of surgeries the most at risk for death after surgery:InjuriesNeurosurgeryGastrointestinal tract surgery (laparotomy,peptic ulcer disease repair,small bowel resection, partialcolectomy, lysis of adhesions,appendectomy)Respiratory system surgeryMedium risk was seen in these types of surgery:Liver, biliary tract, pancreas, spleenHeart and circulatory systemEndocrinologicalSkin and mammary glandBones and musclesHead and neckUrinary tractLower risk was seen for surgery involving:Female genital tractEye surgeryThe skill and experience of the surgeon and the surgical center are also a factor in surgical outcomes.Common Complications After SurgeryAnesthesiaIf you have had issues with anesthesia in the past, you are more likely to have complications with anesthesia during any future procedures. In some cases, you are more likely to have anesthesia issues if a close family member has had issues. Havingobstructive sleep apneaalso increases risks from general anesthesia.Complications of anesthesia includeaspiration during induction, loss of airway or difficult intubation, and opiate-induced respiratory depression.One serious reaction toanesthesia, malignant hyperthermia, is genetic and causes the patient to have a very high fever along with other issues when exposed to anesthesia.The skill of the anesthesia provider also plays a role in your level of risk.It is also important to know that deaths during and immediately after surgery are usually a result of a reaction to anesthesia rather than an issue with the surgical procedure itself.4 Main Types of Anesthesia and How They’re UsedUnderstanding Your RiskIf you’re considering surgery, ask your surgeon about the risk of death during the procedure you are planning. Your healthcare provider will take your personal health into account along with the typical risks of the procedure to estimate your risk level.It is not unreasonable to ask for your risk as a number, as in “there’s a 5% risk of death during this procedure.“The American College of Surgeons created a Surgical Risk Calculator that takes functional status, medical history,body mass index (BMI), age, and smoking status, among other variables, into account to determine level of surgical risk.BMI is a dated, flawed measure. It does not take into account factors such as body composition, ethnicity, sex, race, and age.Even though it is a biased measure, BMI is still widely used in the medical community because it’s an inexpensive and quick way to analyze a person’s potential health status and outcomes.Discuss your concerns with your surgeon and find out what kind of risk is involved in the surgery you need.An Overview of SurgeryA Word From VerywellUnderstanding your surgical risk and why your risk level is what it is can be very helpful when preparing for surgery because it can allow you to take action to reduce that risk before the procedure happens.For example, stopping smoking before surgery can dramatically reduce the chances of being on a ventilator for a prolonged period of time, and getting glucose levels under control can dramatically improve the outcome for diabetics.6 Tips for When You Have No One to Help After Surgery

If you are consideringsurgerythere is always a risk of death due to the procedure or anesthesia that is given during the procedure. This is true of outpatient procedures and inpatient procedures, even if the surgery is an optional procedure, such as cosmetic plastic surgery

While there is always a risk of death, this risk varies widely between types of surgeries and patients. This is why surgery should never be taken lightly; the possibility of death is very real, even with minor dental procedures.

Some surgeries have a much higher risk level than others. However, it is very rare for a healthy individual to die during a minor dental procedure. Other procedures are a much higher risk.

For example, during someopen heart surgeries, the heart is actually stopped for almost an hour before being restarted. That surgery has a higher risk than carpal tunnel surgery, which is performed on a patient’s hand and wrist, often in an outpatient surgery center.

Your personal health history, age, weight, family health history, and general state of health will directly impact your personal level of risk when having surgery. Your risk factors include things you can modify and those you can’t.

Modifiable risk factors include:

Other factors you can’t modify include:

The Surgery and the Surgeon

The type of surgery being performed plays a huge role in how high the risk of death will be.

In general, urgent or emergency surgery carries the highest risk.This may occur with trauma, such as a car accident, after a serious medical event (such as cardiac arrest or ruptured aortic aneurysm), for appendicitis or gallbladder disease, or repairs to the bowels.

Elective surgery has a lower risk.This can include weight loss surgery, inguinal hernia repair, partial mastectomy, or cosmetic plastic surgery.

One study of 2,800,069 hospital surgical admissions in Poland found these types of surgeries the most at risk for death after surgery:

Medium risk was seen in these types of surgery:

Lower risk was seen for surgery involving:

The skill and experience of the surgeon and the surgical center are also a factor in surgical outcomes.

Common Complications After Surgery

If you have had issues with anesthesia in the past, you are more likely to have complications with anesthesia during any future procedures. In some cases, you are more likely to have anesthesia issues if a close family member has had issues. Havingobstructive sleep apneaalso increases risks from general anesthesia.

Complications of anesthesia includeaspiration during induction, loss of airway or difficult intubation, and opiate-induced respiratory depression.

One serious reaction toanesthesia, malignant hyperthermia, is genetic and causes the patient to have a very high fever along with other issues when exposed to anesthesia.The skill of the anesthesia provider also plays a role in your level of risk.

It is also important to know that deaths during and immediately after surgery are usually a result of a reaction to anesthesia rather than an issue with the surgical procedure itself.

4 Main Types of Anesthesia and How They’re Used

Understanding Your Risk

If you’re considering surgery, ask your surgeon about the risk of death during the procedure you are planning. Your healthcare provider will take your personal health into account along with the typical risks of the procedure to estimate your risk level.

It is not unreasonable to ask for your risk as a number, as in “there’s a 5% risk of death during this procedure.”

The American College of Surgeons created a Surgical Risk Calculator that takes functional status, medical history,body mass index (BMI), age, and smoking status, among other variables, into account to determine level of surgical risk.

BMI is a dated, flawed measure. It does not take into account factors such as body composition, ethnicity, sex, race, and age.Even though it is a biased measure, BMI is still widely used in the medical community because it’s an inexpensive and quick way to analyze a person’s potential health status and outcomes.

Discuss your concerns with your surgeon and find out what kind of risk is involved in the surgery you need.

An Overview of Surgery

A Word From Verywell

Understanding your surgical risk and why your risk level is what it is can be very helpful when preparing for surgery because it can allow you to take action to reduce that risk before the procedure happens.

For example, stopping smoking before surgery can dramatically reduce the chances of being on a ventilator for a prolonged period of time, and getting glucose levels under control can dramatically improve the outcome for diabetics.

6 Tips for When You Have No One to Help After Surgery

7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mullen MG, Michaels AD, Mehaffey JH, et al.Risk associated with complications and mortality after urgent surgery vs elective and emergency surgery: implications for defining “quality” and reporting outcomes for urgent surgery.JAMA Surg. 2017;152(8):768-774. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2017.0918Walicka M, Tuszyńska A, Chlebus M, et al.Predictors of in-hospital mortality in surgical wards: a multivariable retrospective cohort analysis of 2,800,069 hospitalizations.World J Surg. 2021;45(2):480-487. doi:10.1007/s00268-020-05841-3Scott JW, Olufajo OA, Brat GA, et al.Use of national burden to define operative emergency general surgery.JAMA Surg. 2016;151(6):e160480. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2016.0480Steadman J, Catalani B, Sharp C, Cooper L.Life-threatening perioperative anesthetic complications: major issues surrounding perioperative morbidity and mortality.Trauma Surg Acute Care Open. 2017;2(1):e000113. doi:10.1136/tsaco-2017-000113MedlinePlus.Malignant hyperthermia. April 8, 2019.American College of Surgeons.Surgical risk calculator.Duggan EW, Carlson K, Umpierrez GE.Perioperative hyperglycemia management: an update.Anesthesiology.2017;126(3):547-560. doi:10.1097/ALN.0000000000001515.Additional ReadingPatient Information Pamphlet,American College of Surgeons, 2007About the ACS Risk Calculator. American College of Surgeons.

7 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mullen MG, Michaels AD, Mehaffey JH, et al.Risk associated with complications and mortality after urgent surgery vs elective and emergency surgery: implications for defining “quality” and reporting outcomes for urgent surgery.JAMA Surg. 2017;152(8):768-774. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2017.0918Walicka M, Tuszyńska A, Chlebus M, et al.Predictors of in-hospital mortality in surgical wards: a multivariable retrospective cohort analysis of 2,800,069 hospitalizations.World J Surg. 2021;45(2):480-487. doi:10.1007/s00268-020-05841-3Scott JW, Olufajo OA, Brat GA, et al.Use of national burden to define operative emergency general surgery.JAMA Surg. 2016;151(6):e160480. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2016.0480Steadman J, Catalani B, Sharp C, Cooper L.Life-threatening perioperative anesthetic complications: major issues surrounding perioperative morbidity and mortality.Trauma Surg Acute Care Open. 2017;2(1):e000113. doi:10.1136/tsaco-2017-000113MedlinePlus.Malignant hyperthermia. April 8, 2019.American College of Surgeons.Surgical risk calculator.Duggan EW, Carlson K, Umpierrez GE.Perioperative hyperglycemia management: an update.Anesthesiology.2017;126(3):547-560. doi:10.1097/ALN.0000000000001515.Additional ReadingPatient Information Pamphlet,American College of Surgeons, 2007About the ACS Risk Calculator. American College of Surgeons.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Mullen MG, Michaels AD, Mehaffey JH, et al.Risk associated with complications and mortality after urgent surgery vs elective and emergency surgery: implications for defining “quality” and reporting outcomes for urgent surgery.JAMA Surg. 2017;152(8):768-774. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2017.0918Walicka M, Tuszyńska A, Chlebus M, et al.Predictors of in-hospital mortality in surgical wards: a multivariable retrospective cohort analysis of 2,800,069 hospitalizations.World J Surg. 2021;45(2):480-487. doi:10.1007/s00268-020-05841-3Scott JW, Olufajo OA, Brat GA, et al.Use of national burden to define operative emergency general surgery.JAMA Surg. 2016;151(6):e160480. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2016.0480Steadman J, Catalani B, Sharp C, Cooper L.Life-threatening perioperative anesthetic complications: major issues surrounding perioperative morbidity and mortality.Trauma Surg Acute Care Open. 2017;2(1):e000113. doi:10.1136/tsaco-2017-000113MedlinePlus.Malignant hyperthermia. April 8, 2019.American College of Surgeons.Surgical risk calculator.Duggan EW, Carlson K, Umpierrez GE.Perioperative hyperglycemia management: an update.Anesthesiology.2017;126(3):547-560. doi:10.1097/ALN.0000000000001515.

Mullen MG, Michaels AD, Mehaffey JH, et al.Risk associated with complications and mortality after urgent surgery vs elective and emergency surgery: implications for defining “quality” and reporting outcomes for urgent surgery.JAMA Surg. 2017;152(8):768-774. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2017.0918

Walicka M, Tuszyńska A, Chlebus M, et al.Predictors of in-hospital mortality in surgical wards: a multivariable retrospective cohort analysis of 2,800,069 hospitalizations.World J Surg. 2021;45(2):480-487. doi:10.1007/s00268-020-05841-3

Scott JW, Olufajo OA, Brat GA, et al.Use of national burden to define operative emergency general surgery.JAMA Surg. 2016;151(6):e160480. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2016.0480

Steadman J, Catalani B, Sharp C, Cooper L.Life-threatening perioperative anesthetic complications: major issues surrounding perioperative morbidity and mortality.Trauma Surg Acute Care Open. 2017;2(1):e000113. doi:10.1136/tsaco-2017-000113

MedlinePlus.Malignant hyperthermia. April 8, 2019.

American College of Surgeons.Surgical risk calculator.

Duggan EW, Carlson K, Umpierrez GE.Perioperative hyperglycemia management: an update.Anesthesiology.2017;126(3):547-560. doi:10.1097/ALN.0000000000001515.

Patient Information Pamphlet,American College of Surgeons, 2007About the ACS Risk Calculator. American College of Surgeons.

Patient Information Pamphlet,American College of Surgeons, 2007

About the ACS Risk Calculator. American College of Surgeons.

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