Major Complications of an Abdominal Hysterectomy

Many types of problems can happen, and we cannot list all of them here. Some of the major problems that can happen are:

· Serious infection,

· Serious bleeding,

· Organ damage, including injury to the intestines, bladder, ureters, fallopian tubes, and/or ovaries,

· Major blood vessel injury,

· Formation of a fistula, which is an abnormal opening between two structures,

· Blood clots,

· Wound breakdown,

· Nerve injury,

· Bladder and urinary tract injury

· Intestine or bowel injury

· Abdominal adhesions, causing a bowel obstruction,

· Urinary incontinence, which is uncontrollable leakage of urine

· Reaction to medication, or

· Other rare and unlikely events.

Depending on what happens, one of these major problems might mean you will need a blood transfusion, a longer hospital stay, or another surgery. You might also need to have an immediate major abdominal surgery, get a temporary or permanent colostomy, or have a repeat surgery at a later time. In extreme cases, a major complication may result in permanent disability, paralysis, or loss of life.