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What are second
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(203) 688-4242
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(203) 688-4177
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(203) 688-2222
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(203) 688-3333
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(203) 688-2221
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(203) 688-3331
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Yale-New Haven Hospital
20 York Street
New Haven, CT
06510-3202
Second Operations:
What You Should Know
What are second operations?
Second operations are often required for a variety of reasons. Several common reasons for second operations include malfunction of an artificial joint or blockage of a coronary artery through natural aging after bypass surgery. Sometimes a second operation is needed to correct complications that have occurred from the initial operation such as internal bleeding, infection or scar tissue formation.
For most second operations, the survival rate is similar to the initial operation. However, survival rates are often lower for complex second operations such as organ transplant, major vascular procedures, liver or pancreatic surgery and bypass surgery. In addition, second operations can also have a higher risk of complications. There are many complex and high-risk factors that can influence the difficulty of performing a second operation. These factors include, but are not limited to, the age of the patient, the previous medical and surgical history and the formation of dense scar tissue that can result from the initial operation.
Other facts about second operations:
- There is a higher risk when the second operation occurs within the first year after the initial operation.
- The increased risk of complications associated with some second operations can be significantly reduced when the second operation is performed at a university hospital.
- Second operations often require a longer hospital stay and recuperation period.
Tips from Yale-New Haven surgeons and nurses:
- Obtain as much information as possible about potential risks and complications so you can be prepared to ask your doctor questions.
- Find out if there are alternative medical or surgical interventions that may be done in place of a second operation.
- Obtain other medical or surgical opinions before a second operation is performed if you are not comfortable.
- Select a surgeon who is skilled and experienced in the type of second operation that is required.
- Choose a university hospital as they usually provide and have the most experience with the latest surgical techniques.
Questions to ask your doctor:
Yale-New Haven Hospital's surgery departments and sections:
Other special programs at Yale-New Haven Hospital Yale-New Haven Hospital and other teaching hospitals have specialty units and services that can provide additional support, expertise and back-up for surgery.
Surgery: The American College of Surgeons (ACS) has a free series of pamphlets on "When You Need an Operation." These documents are available online. For print copies, write to the ACS, Office of Public Information, 633 N. Saint Clair St., Chicago IL 60611. Anesthesia: Free booklets on what you should know about anesthesia are available from the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) or the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA). For copies, write to ASA at 520 North Northwest Highway, Park Ridge, IL 60068-2573, or phone (847) 825-5586; or AANA at 222 S. Prospect Avenue, Park Ridge, IL 60068-4001, or phone (847) 692-7050. Pain control after surgery: Yale-New Haven Hospital offers three "Making the Right Choice" fact sheets about pain control: Call the Yale New Haven Health Call Center at (203) 688-2000 or toll free (888) 700-6543 for printed copies of each. You can also request a free copy of "Pain control after surgery: A patient's guide" from the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR). Write to the AHCPR Publications Clearinghouse, P.O. Box 8547, Silver Spring, MD 20907, or call 800-358-9295.
Last revised: March 8, 2004 (cfs)
Call (203) 688-2000 or toll free (888) 700-6543 to speak with a health information coordinator or request an appointment. You can also get physician information or request an appointment on this web site.
