Chapter 82: Postoperative Care and Complications

Hilgers TW

Reproductive Surgery Perioperative Care

Chapter 82: Postoperative Care and Complications

Hilgers TW

The Medical and Surgical Practice of NaProTECHNOLOGY, 1087-1100, 2004

RRM Academy Synopsis

Surgical NaProTECHNOLOGY laparoscopy had a low major complication rate

In a 2004 textbook chapter, the rate of major complications after 1,788 NaProTECHNOLOGY laparoscopic procedures was low. Blood transfusion was the most common major complication among 652 patients who had laparotomy. The chapter also describes care after surgery.

Key Findings

Among 1,788 consecutive laparoscopic procedures, minor complications were superficial wound infection, mild urinary retention, lumbar radiculopathy, uterine perforation and a small omental or mesenteric hematoma.
Major laparoscopic complications were pelvic infection, a herniated loop of bowel, neurogenic bladder, vessel lacerations requiring immediate laparotomy and a trocar perforation of bowel, each in only a few procedures.
After laparotomy in 652 consecutive patients, the most common minor complications were superficial wound infection and rectus sheath hematoma, and the most common major complication was blood transfusion.
The chapter states that its major complication rates appear comparable to a published operative laparoscopy series; the laparotomy rate might be slightly higher and includes transfusions the series does not.
The chapter describes postoperative care after laparotomy as individualized, with early mobilization, diet advanced in stages as bowel function returns, and incentive spirometry to prevent atelectasis.

RRM Context

Restorative reproductive medicine addresses the condition behind a patient's symptoms, and for some conditions that work includes surgery. Surgical NaProTECHNOLOGY, developed by Dr. Thomas W. Hilgers, applies this cause-based principle in the operating room. Evaluation before treatment is a defining principle of restorative care. The chapter extends it to surgery by advising that each patient be fully informed of the risks and benefits in advance. Reporting complications by procedure type allows each operation to be judged on its own record.

Our editorial summary of this paper, not the article's abstract.

Abstract

This chapter covers postoperative care and complications after laparoscopy and laparotomy in surgical NaProTECHNOLOGY, including early mobilization and a diet that is not advanced beyond clear liquids until the patient passes flatus. In an analysis of 1,788 consecutive laparoscopic procedures, the chapter reports a major complication rate of 0.3 percent. Among 652 consecutive patients who had surgical NaProTECHNOLOGY by laparotomy, the minor complication rate was 13.2 percent and the major complication rate 3.8 percent, with blood transfusion the most common major complication. The chapter compares these figures with a major complication rate of 3.08 percent for operative laparoscopy reported by Nezhat and colleagues and judges the rates comparable, noting that its laparotomy figure includes blood transfusions that the comparison report does not.

Read the guide

What Is NaProTechnology? A Guide for Patients Looking for a NaPro Doctor

NaProTechnology diagnoses and treats the underlying conditions driving infertility, menstrual disorders, and early pregnancy loss. This guide covers how the method works, published outcomes data, how to find a qualified provider, and what to expect on cost and insurance.

18 min read

Topics

Reproductive Surgery › Perioperative Care › Postoperative Recovery · Restorative Reproductive Medicine › NaProTechnology › Protocols and Framework

Thomas W Hilgers

Tom Hilgers, T Hilgers

Hilgers et al. 2004, Hilgers 2004

Chapter 82: Postoperative Care and Complications

Surgical NaProTECHNOLOGY laparoscopy had a low major complication rate

Key Findings

RRM Context

Abstract

Read the guide

Topics

By this author

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