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PAROTIDECTOMY (REMOVAL OF SALIVARY GLAND NEAR THE EAR):
1. Bleeding.
2. Infection.
3. Facial nerve palsy.
4. Numbness of ear. Back to Index
PERCUTANEOUS NEEDLE BIOPSY OF THE LIVER
1. Bleeding requiring transfusion and/or surgery.
2. Lung collapse which may require surgery.
3. Internal leakage of bile which may require surgery.
4. Puncture of other organs which may require surgery.
5. Aspiration pneumonia. Back to Index
PERCUTANEOUS RENAL BIOPSY COMPLICATIONS:
Note: Itemization of the procedures and risks
under a particular specialty does not preclude
other qualified practitioners from using those risks identified for that particular procedure.
1. Injury to adjacent organs, such as spleen or liver.
2. Infection.
3. Hypotension (abnormally low blood pressure).
4. Bleeding from the kidney.
5. Internal bleeding.
6. Intestinal perforation. Back to Index
PERIPHERAL NERVE PROCEDURES:
Note: Itemization of the procedures and risks under a particular specialty does not preclude
other qualified practitioners from using those risks identified for that
particular procedure.
1. Failure to improve the condition or symptoms.
2. Injury to underlying nerve(s) or plexus with
resultant weakness, numbness, pain including
complete anesthesia of the extremity.
3. Recurrent
symptoms which might require further surgery or continuation of condition for
which surgery was performed.
4. Development of chronic pain problem
in the area of the nerve--for example, anesthesia
dolorosa.
5. Injury to the underlying blood vessels with possible injury to the soft tissues of the
extremities requiring further surgical procedures. Back to Index
PERITONEAL DIALYSIS:
Note: Itemization of the procedures and risks under a particular
specialty does not preclude
other qualified practitioners from using those risks identified for that particular procedure.
1. Peritonitis (infection within the abdominal cavity).
2. Catheter complications (perforation of an organ in the abdomen).
3. Hypotension (abnormally low blood pressure).
4. Metabolic disorders (protein loss, malnutrition, elevated blood
sugar).
5. Hypertension (high blood pressure).
6. Pulmonary edema (excess fluid in lungs).
7. Cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats).
8. Cardiac arrest (heart stoppage).
9. Use of temporary access catheter. Back to Index
24-HOUR PH MONITORING:
1. Aspiration pneumonia;
2. Cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). Back to Index
PLASTIC SURGERY:
Facelift and Coronal Lift:
1.
Bleeding or hematoma (blood clot) that may need to be evaluated.
2. Infection, skin loss, poor healing that may require prolonged treatment.
3. Hypertrophic (thick) scars that may need to be revised and injected to soften them.
4. Discoloration and swelling in face and neck.
5. Numbness and/or pain in face, neck, ears, scalp may be permanent.
6. Seroma (accumulation of fluid) under skin may require a second surgery or drainage.
7. Facial nerve damage that can cause facial paralysis.
8. Loss of hair around incisions may be permanent.
9. Facial asymmetry (unequal appearance).
10. Contour irregularities (rippled and uneven) effects of skin surface.
Abdominoplasty:
1. Bleeding and hematoma (blood clot) requiring evacuation.
2. Infection that may require treatment and
dressing changes for a prolonged period.
3. Poor healing, necrosis (tissue loss), and dehiscence (wound opening) and may require a
graft or secondary surgical procedure.
4. Permanent scars that can become hypertrophic (thick) that may need revision or injections
to soften the scars.
5. Numbness or altered sensation in abdomen may be permanent.
6. Swelling, tightness, discomfort and pain in abdominal
area may be temporary, but can
also be permanent.
7. Blood transfusion reaction with adverse risk of hepatitis, AIDS, and other complications.
8. Loss of umbilicus (naval/"bellybutton").
9. Seroma--accumulation of fluid under skin may require evacuation
or drainage.
Breast Reduction:
1. Bleeding or hematoma (blood clot) which may require secondary surgery.
2. Blood transfusion may be necessary.
3. Infection or open wound (dehiscence) that may require treatment
and dressing changes or
secondary surgery.
4. Poor healing and necrosis of skin (tissue loss).
5. Permanent
hypertrophic (thick) scars around nipple, down to the breast crease, and under
breast crease.
6. Asymmetry (uneven) of breasts and nipples.
7. Nipple and breast sensation can be altered (numbness) or permanently lost.
8. Loss of all or part of the nipple/areola.
9. Unexpected malignancies (cancer) may be found requiring more extensive surgery.
10. Alternation of appearance of
breast tissue during mammograms.
11. Interference with ability to breast feed in future.
12. Contour/firmness of breast nipple
and/or breasts may not be symmetrical and the breasts
may sag.
Augmentation Mammaplasty with Implant Use or Breast Reconstruction following Mastectomy
with Implant Use:
Note: When silicone gel implants are used, FDA consent is required. Risks specific to this
product have, therefore, been excluded from this list.
1. Capsule formation (scar formation around implant resulting in hard breasts and/or pain).
2. Deflation of implant.
3. Loss of sensation to the nipple and breast.
4. Persistent pain in breast.
5.
Distortion of breast mound at rest and with activities.
6. Palpable implant.
7. Infection possibly requiring removal of implants.
8. Leakage of implant contents. Back to Index
RADIAL KERATOTOMY (reshape cornea by multiple cuts):
1. Loss of vision or decrease in vision.
2. Loss of eye.
3. Infection.
4. Variable vision.
5. Radiating images around lights.
6. Over correction, under correction or distortion of vision.
7. Cataract formation or progression.
8. Retained need for glasses.
9. Inability to wear contact lenses.
10. Glare problems causing loss of ability to drive.
11. Need for additional treatment and/or surgery. Back to Index
RADIATION THERAPY (RADIATION ONCOLOGY):
Head and Neck:
Early reactions:
1. Reduced and sticky
saliva, loss of taste and appetite, altered sense of smell, nausea.
2. Sore throat, difficulty swallowing, weight loss, fatigue.
3. Skin changes; redness, irritation, scaliness, blistering or ulceration, color change,
thickening, hair loss.
4. Hoarseness, cough, loss of voice and swelling of airway.
5. Blockage and crusting of nasal passages.
6. Inflammation of ear
canal, feeling of "stopped up" ear, hearing loss, dizziness.
7. Dry and irritable eye(s), if the eyes or tear glans are
in the radiation beam.
8. Depression of blood count leading to increased risk of infection and/or bleeding.
9. These reactions are likely to be intensified by chemotherapy before, during or after
radiation therapy.
Late reaction:
1. Dry mouth and altered sense, or loss, of taste.
2. Tooth decay and gum changes.
3. Bone damage, especially in jaws.
4. Stiffness and limitation of jaw movement.
5. Changes in
skin texture and/or coloration, permanent hair loss, scarring of skin, poor
healing of surgical wounds, and death of normal tissue.
6. Swelling of tissues, particularly under the chin.
7. Throat damage causing hoarseness, pain, or difficulty
breathing or swallowing.
8. Eye damage causing dry eye(s), cataract, loss of vision, or loss of eye(s), if the eye is in
the radiation beam.
9. Ear damage causing dryness of ear canal, fluid collection in middle ear, hearing loss.
10. Brain, spinal cord, or nerve damage causing alteration of thinking ability.
ll. Pituitary or thyroid gland damage requiring long-term hormone replacement therapy.
l2. In children, there may be additional
late reactions as follows:
1. Disturbances of bone and tissue growth.
2. Abnormal development of facial bones.
3. Brain damage causing a loss of intellectual ability, learning capacity, and reduced
intelligence quotient (I.Q.).
4. Second cancers developing in the irradiated area.
Central nervous system:
Early reactions:
1. Skin and scalp reaction with redness, irritation,
scaliness, blistering, ulceration, change
in color, thickening, hair loss.
2. Nausea, vomiting, headaches.
3. Fatigue, drowsiness
4. Altered sense of taste or smell.
5. Inflammation of ear canal, feeling of "stopped up" ear, hearing loss, dizziness.
6. Depression of blood count leading to increased risk of infection and/or bleeding.
7. These reactions are likely to be intensified by chemotherapy before, during or after
radiation therapy.
Late reactions:
1. Permanent hair loss of variable degrees, altered regrowth, texture, and color of hair.
2. Persistent drowsiness and tiredness.
3. Brain damage
causing a loss of some degree of thinking ability, memory or personality
changes, loss of sensation or balance, seizures, hemorrhage, or steroid dependency due to brain
swelling.
Rarely, severe damage may produce paralysis or death.
4. Scarring of skin.
5. Spinal cord or nerve damage causing paralysis, loss of strength, feeling, or
coordination in any part of the body.
6. Damage to eye(s) or optic nerve(s) causing loss of vision.
7.
Ear damage causing dryness of ear canal, fluid collection in middle ear, hearing loss.
8. Pituitary gland damage requiring
long-term hormone replacement therapy.
9. In children, there may be additional late reactions as follows:
1. Disturbances of bone and tissue growth.
2. Bone damage to spine, causing stunting of growth, curvature, and/or reduction in
height.
3. Abnormal bone growth in the face or pelvis.
4. Brain damage causing a loss of intellectual ability, learning capacity, and reduced
intelligence quotient (I.Q.).
5. Second cancers developing in the irradiated area.
Thorax:
Early reactions:
1. Skin changes: redness, irritation, scaliness, ulceration, change in color, thickening; hair
loss on the chest.
2. Inflammation of esophagus causing pain on swallowing, heartburn, or sense of
obstruction.
3. Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and weakness.
4. Inflammation of the lung with pain, fever, and cough.
5. Inflammation of the heart sac with chest pain and possible
decreased heart function.
6. Bleeding or creation of a fistula resulting from tumor destruction.
7. Depression of blood count leading to increased risk of infection and/or bleeding.
8. Intermittent electric shock-like feelings in the lower spine or legs on bending the neck.
9. These reactions are likely to be intensified by chemotherapy before, during or after
radiation therapy.
Late reactions:
1. Changes in skin texture and/or coloration, permanent hair loss and scarring of skin.
2. Lung scarring or shrinkage causing shortness of breath.
3.
Narrowing of esophagus causing swallowing problems.
4. Constriction of heart sac which may require surgical correction.
5. Damage to heart muscle or arteries leading to heart failure or heart attack.
6. Fracture of ribs.
7. Nerve damage causing pain, loss of
strength or feeling in arms.
8. Spinal cord damage causing paralysis, loss of strength or feeling in arms and legs
and/or loss of control of bladder and rectum.
9. Liver damage.
l0. Loss of thyroid function.
ll. In children, there may be additional late
reactions as follows:
1. Disturbances of bone and tissue growth.
2. Bone damage to spine, causing stunting of growth, curvature, and/or reduction in
height.
3. Underdevelopment or absence of development of female breast.
4. Second cancers developing in the irradiated area.
Breast:
Early reactions:
1. Skin changes: redness (sunburn-like), irritation, scaliness, blistering, ulceration,
coloration, thickening; hair loss.
2. Breast changes, including swelling, tightness, tenderness or pain.
3. Inflammation of the esophagus causing pain on swallowing, heartburn, or sense of
obstruction.
4. Lung inflammation with cough.
5. Inflammation of heart sac with
chest pain and possible decreased heart functions.
Late reactions:
1. Changes in skin texture
and/or coloration, permanent hair loss and scarring of skin.
2. Breast changes, including thickening, firmness, tenderness,
shrinkage, or edema
(swelling).
3. Swelling of arm.
4. Stiffness and discomfort in shoulder joint.
5. Rib damage causing pain or fracture.
6. Nerve damage causing
pain, loss of strength or feeling in arm.
7. Damage to heart muscle or heart sac leading to heart failure.
8. Permanent scarring of the lung producing shortness of breath, cough, or susceptibility
to infection.
9. Loss of thyroid functions.
l0. If there is a cancer recurrence,
mastectomy may be required.
Abdomen:
Early reactions:
1. Skin changes: redness, irritation,
scaliness, ulceration, change in color, thickening; hair
loss.
2. Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting.
3. Weight loss, weakness, fatigue.
4. Inflammation of stomach
causing indigestion, heartburn, and ulcers.
5. Inflammation of bowel causing cramping and diarrhea.
6. Depression of blood count leading to increased risk of infections and/or bleeding.
7. These reactions are likely to be intensified by chemotherapy before, during, and after
radiation therapy.
Late reactions:
1. Changes in skin texture and/or coloration, permanent hair loss and scarring of skin.
2. Stomach damage causing persistent indigestion, pain, and bleeding.
3. Bowel damage causing narrowing or adhesions of bowel with obstruction, ulceration or
bleeding which may require surgical
correction, chronic diarrhea, or poor absorption of food
elements.
4. Kidney damage leading to kidney failure and/or high
blood pressure.
5. Liver damage leading to liver failure.
6. Spinal cord or nerve damage causing paralysis, loss of strength or feeling in legs and/or
loss of control of bladder and/or rectum.
7. In children, there may be additional late reactions as follows:
1. Disturbances of bone and tissue growth.
2. Bone damage to spine causing stunting of growth, curvature and/or reduction in
height.
3. Bone damage to pelvis causing stunting of bone growth and/or abnormal
development.
4. Second cancers developing in the irradiated area.
Female pelvis:
Early reactions:
1. Inflammation of bowel causing cramping, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and/or decreased
appetite.
2. Inflammation of rectum and anus causing pain, spasm, discharge, bleeding.
3. Bladder inflammation causing burning, frequency, spasm, pain, bleeding.
4. Skin changes: redness, irritation, scaliness, blistering or ulceration, coloration,
thickening; hair loss.
5. Disturbance of menstrual cycle.
6. Vaginal discharge, pain, irritation, bleeding.
7. Depression of
blood count leading to increased risk of infection and/or bleeding.
8. These reactions are likely to be intensified by
chemotherapy before, during or after
radiation therapy.
Late reactions:
1. Bowel damage
causing narrowing or adhesions of the bowel with obstruction,
ulceration, bleeding, chronic diarrhea, or poor absorption of food elements and may require
surgical correction or colostomy.
2. Bladder damage with loss of capacity, frequency of urination, blood in urine, recurrent
urinary infections, pain, or
spasm which may require urinary diversion and/or removal of
bladder.
3. Changes in skin texture and/or coloration,
permanent hair loss, scarring of skin.
4. Bone damage leading to fractures.
5. Ovarian damage causing infertility, sterility, premature menopause, or genetic damage
to future offspring.
6. Vaginal damage leading to dryness, shrinkage, pain, bleeding, or sexual dysfunction.
7. Swelling of the genitals or legs.
8. Nerve damage causing pain,
loss of strength or feeling in legs, and/or loss of control of
bladder or rectum.
9. Fistula between the bladder and/or
bowel and/or vagina.
l0. Pelvic fibrosis producing obstruction of bowel or ureters.
ll. In children, there may be additional late reactions as follows:
1. Disturbances of bone and tissue growth.
2. Bone damage to pelvis and hips causing stunting of bone growth and/or abnormal
development.
3. Second cancers developing in the irradiated area.
Male Pelvis:
Early reactions:
1. Inflammation of bowel causing cramping, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and/or decreased
appetite.
2. Inflammation of rectum and anus causing pain, spasm, discharge, bleeding.
3. Bladder inflammation causing burning, frequency, spasm, pain and/or bleeding.
4. Skin changes: redness, irritation, scaliness, blistering or ulceration, coloration,
thickening; hair loss.
5. Depression of blood count leading to increased risk of infection and/or bleeding.
6. These reactions are likely to be intensified by chemotherapy before, during or after
radiation therapy.
Late reactions:
1. Bowel damage causing narrowing or adhesions of the bowel with obstruction,
ulceration, bleeding, chronic diarrhea, or poor absorption of food elements and may require
surgical correction or colostomy.
2. Bladder damage with loss of capacity, frequency of urination, blood in urine, recurrent
urinary infections, pain, or spasm which may require urinary diversion and/or removal of
bladder.
3. Changes in skin texture and/or coloration, permanent hair loss, scarring of skin.
4. Bone damage leading to fractures.
5. Testicular damage causing reduced sperm counts, infertility, sterility, or risk of birth
defects.
6. Impotence (loss of erection) or sexual dysfunction.
7. Swelling of the genitalia or legs.
8. Nerve damage causing
pain, loss of strength or feeling in legs, and/or loss of control of
bladder or rectum.
9. Fistula between the bowel and other organs.
l0. Pelvic fibrosis
producing obstruction of bowel or ureters.
ll. In children, there may be additional late reactions as follows:
1. Disturbances of bone and tissue growth.
2. Bone damage to pelvis and hips causing stunting of bone growth and/or abnormal
development.
3. Second cancers developing in the irradiated area.
Skin:
Early reactions:
1. Redness, irritation, or soreness.
2. Scaliness, ulceration,
crusting, oozing, discharge.
3. Hair loss.
4. These
reactions are likely to be intensified by chemotherapy.
Late reactions:
1. Changes in skin texture
causing scaly or shiny smooth skin, thickening, with
contracture, puckering, scarring of skin.
2. Changes in skin color or overall appearance.
3. Prominent dilated small blood vessels.
4. Loss of sweating in treated area.
5. Permanent hair loss.
6. Chronic or recurrent ulcerations. Severe damage may require skin grafting or plastic
surgery.
7. Damage to adjacent tissues, including underlying bone or cartilage.
8. Possible injury may occur from trauma, sun, or frostbite unless the treated area is
forever protected.
9. In
children, second cancers may develop in the irradiated area.
Extremities:
Early reactions:
1.
Skin changes: redness, irritation, scaliness, ulceration, coloration, thickening; hair loss.
2. Inflammation of soft tissues
causing tenderness, swelling, and interference with
movement.
3. Inflammation of joints causing pain, swelling and
limitation of joint motion.
4. These reactions are likely to be intensified by chemotherapy before, during or after
radiation therapy.
5. Depression of blood counts leading to increased risk of infection and/or bleeding.
Late reactions:
1. Changes in skin reaction and/or coloration, permanent hair loss, and scarring of the
skin.
2. Scarring or shrinkage of soft tissues and muscle causing loss of flexibility and
movement, swelling of the limb.
3. Nerve damage causing loss of strength, feeling, or coordination.
4. Bone damage causing fracture.
5. Joint damage causing permanent
stiffness, pain, and arthritis.
6. Swelling of limb below the area treated.
7. In children, there may be additional late reactions as follows:
1. Disturbances of bone and tissue growth.
2. Bone damage to limbs causing stunting of bone growth and/or abnormal
development.
3. Second cancers developing in the irradiated area.
Total body irradiation:
Early reactions:
1. Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting.
2. Diarrhea.
3. Reduced and sticky saliva, swelling of the salivary
gland(s), loss of taste.
4. Hair loss.
5. Sore mouth and throat, difficulty swallowing.
6. Permanent
destruction of bone marrow leading to infection, bleeding, and possible
fatal lung failure.
7. Inflammation of the lung
with fever, dry cough and difficulty breathing with possible
fatal lung failure.
8. Damage to liver with possible fatal
liver failure.
9. Depression of blood counts leading to increased risk of infection and/or bleeding.
l0. These reactions are likely to be intensified by chemotherapy before, during or after
radiation therapy.
Late reactions:
1. Lung scarring causing shortness of breath, infection, and fatal lung failure.
2. Cataract formation in the eyes, possible loss of vision.
3. Testicular damage in males causing sterility.
4. Ovarian damage
in females causing premature menopause and sterility.
5. Increased risk of second cancer.
6. Decreased ability to give further chemotherapy or other cancer treatment.
Endobronchial radiation:
Early reactions:
1. A mild sore throat.
2. Some difficulty in swallowing.
3. Bleeding.
4. Infection or pneumonia.
Late reactions:
1. Damage to spinal cord possibly producing paralysis.
2. Lung scarring.
3. Hemorrhage (possibly fatal).
4. Inflammation of heart sac.
5. Fistula (opening between bronchial tree and lung and/or esophagus).
6. Pneumothorax (collapse of lung).
7. Abscess formation.
8. Death. Back to Index
RADICAL NECK (EXTENSIVE NECK SURGERY):
1. Bleeding requiring transfusion.
2. Injury to nerves of shoulder resulting in numbness, pain or loss of function.
3. Injury to voice box resulting in hoarseness or speech impairment.
4. Injury to nerve of diaphragm with possible impairment
of breathing.
5. Injury to nerve of tongue resulting in loss of sensation, loss or alteration of sense of taste
or possible impairment of speech.
6. Injury to mandibular branch of facial nerve resulting in loss of function of lip or cheek. Back to Index RADIOLOGY:
Cerebral Angiography:
1. Injury to the artery entered or studied.
2. Swelling, pain, tenderness or bleeding at the blood vessel
entrance by catheter or needle.
3. Stroke.
4. Death.
5. Blindness.
6. Brain Damage.
7. Aggravation of the condition that necessitated the procedure.
8. Emboli to the brain.
9. Allergic sensitivity reaction to the injected contrast medium.
l0. Bleeding requiring transfusion or surgery.
Coronary Angiography:
1. Injury to artery entered or studied.
2. Damage to heart (including occlusion of coronary artery or perforation).
3. Myocardial infarction (heart attack).
4. Possible need for open heart surgery to correct complication of procedure or deterioration
of the patient's medical condition.
5. Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat).
6. Cardiac arrest.
7. Death.
8. Swelling, pain, tenderness or bleeding at the blood vessel entrance by catheter or needle.
9. Aggravation of the
condition that necessitated the procedure.
l0. Allergic sensitivity reaction to injected contrast media.
ll. Bleeding requiring transfusion or surgery. Back to Index
REPAIR OF COARCTATION OF AORTA:
1. Quadriplegia.
2. Paraplegia (paralysis of both legs or both arms).
3. Permanent hoarseness.
4.
Chylothorax (leakage of chyle, the white body fluid from intestines carried by the
lymphatic vessels, into the chest cavity).
5. Loss of bowel and/or bladder function.
6. Impotence in a male. Back to Index
RETINA (nerve layer of eye)/VITREOUS
(central gel-like substance in eye) SURGERY:
1. Loss of vision.
2. Loss of eye.
3. Infection.
4. Bleeding.
5. Uncomfortable or painful eye.
6. Double vision.
7. Cataract formation or progression.
8. Need for additional treatment and/or surgery. Back to Index
RHINOPLASTY:
1. Bleeding.
2. Infection.
3. Disappointing cosmetic result or failure to achieve desired result.
4. Impaired breathing through nose.
5. Septal perforation. Back to Index
RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS OF GENERAL ANESTHESIA:
1. Allergic, abnormal or hypersensitivity reaction to drugs or equipment, which may be fatal.
2. Aspiration (inhalation) into the bronchi (airway) or lungs of stomach contents,
stomach acids and foreign objects.
3. Laryngeal and/or vocal cord trauma or edema (injury to or swelling of
the
vocal cords).
4. Heart attack or other heart problems.
5. Death.
6. Brain damage.
7. Shock.
8. Nerve damage ranging from loss of sensation to total paralysis.
9. Chipped or broken teeth.
l0. Esophageal injury.
ll. Burns.
12. Malignant hyperthermia (dangerously high fever which may
result in death).
13. Injury to lips, tongue and inside of mouth or airway injury.
14. Breathing difficulties.
15. Eye injuries. Back to Index |