Postoperative complications: Identification and management in general surgery

Preoperative evaluation plays a crucial role in surgical patient safety, functioning as a systematic process to identify risks, optimize clinical conditions, and reduce perioperative complications. Surgery, as an invasive intervention, imposes significant physiological challenges, which vary according to individual factors such as age, comorbidities, and the type of procedure to be performed. The objective of this study is to identify the main postoperative complications in general surgery and analyze effective management strategies to reduce morbidity and mortality and improve clinical outcomes. This study is a narrative literature review, aiming to identify and analyze the main postoperative complications in general surgery and the most effective management strategies. The review was conducted by searching and analyzing scientific articles published in the last 5 years (2020-2024), in English and Portuguese. Postoperative complications in general surgery can be severe and require proper management to prevent and treat risks. Among the most common complications are surgical site infection (SSI), which occurs due to the introduction of microorganisms at the incision site, being prevented with antibiotic prophylaxis and treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics and drainage, if necessary. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism are common after major surgeries and are prevented with anticoagulants and early mobilization, treated with anticoagulants and, in severe cases, thrombolytics. In summary, continuous monitoring and proactive management are essential to reduce mortality and improve patients’ quality of life in the postoperative period, emphasizing the importance of an interdisciplinary and adaptive approach in surgical care.