With Secondary bleeding is the term used to describe bleeding that occurs delayed after surgery. They can develop in all organs of the body and have life-threatening effects if they are not recognized in time.
What is secondary bleeding?
Secondary bleeding is possible in the abdominal cavity as well as after tooth extraction or on external wounds as a result of accidents. They are among the most common operational risks and can have different characteristics.
Subsequent bleeding often occurs when the anesthetic wears off, as it causes the blood vessels to contract. When the vessels relax, the blood flow increases again. In the case of dental wounds, for example, spontaneous bleeding or oozing bleeding can appear on the wound.
In gynecology, the term secondary bleeding describes a prolongation of the menstrual bleeding, surgical complications or an intermenstrual bleeding in the cycle. Postpartum bleeding also occurs.
Depending on the extent and the affected organ, the bleeding is an emergency that must be treated by a doctor or in the clinic. Secondary bleeding occurs especially in people with blood clotting disorders or wound infections.
High blood pressure increases the risk. Unsuitable suture material, too early exposure to the patient, wound healing disorders or hematomas at the suture can cause a surgical suture to burst.
Wound infection from bacteria entering the wound can cause local inflammation and cause the wound to burst. The removal of tonsils, an otherwise harmless procedure in the throat area, also carries the risk of bleeding.
causes
After the tonsils have been removed, the scab loosens about five to eight days after the operation, accompanied by light bleeding, which usually stops by itself. However, at around 4%, rebleeding is the most common complication of a tonsillectomy (tonsillectomy).
Usually this unwanted bleeding is stopped by electroagulation. The doctor closes the tissue by burning it with electricity. Children should be watched closely after having an almond removed, as a coughing attack can also trigger bleeding. Heavy bleeding always requires hospital treatment.
In gynecology, not all secondary bleeding is to be classified as dangerous; bleeding during pregnancy can also have many causes. Intermenstrual bleeding in early pregnancy is perceived as threatening, but does not necessarily have to lead to a miscarriage. Spotting in later pregnancy is also mostly harmless. However, if bright red, periodic bleeding occurs, the patient must be hospitalized immediately, as is the case with bleeding with pain. Even at the end of pregnancy, some women have bloody mucus discharge, which is usually a sign of pre-labor.
Contact bleeding may occur after sexual intercourse or an examination, as smaller blood vessels may have been injured. This does not always show up immediately; sometimes the bleeding does not appear until a day later.
Many abdominal surgeries have few complications, but there is always a risk of rebleeding. Bleeding is a common complication after a hysterectomy and can result from injury to nearby tissue. Secondary bleeding is also common when tissue is removed from the cervix.
During the menopause, sudden bleeding can occur even after a long period of time. Then the hormone level has not quite evened off. But they can also be the symptom of cancer. A medical examination is therefore always necessary.
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➔ Drugs for wound treatment and injuriesDiseases with this symptom
- tumor
- Abrasion
- Wound infection
- Intermenstrual bleeding
- Cut
- Laceration
- Wound healing disorders
- Miscarriage
- Bite wound
- Bruises
- Bleeding disorder
- Spotting
Complications
Secondary bleeding occurs as a complication during operations; it can vary in severity, depending on the procedure and location. These occur above all when the vessels in the operated area have not been completely closed or there are coagulation disorders. Depending on the location of the postoperative bleeding, further dangerous consequences can occur.
Bleeding around the neck and throat is very dangerous. The windpipe can be narrowed even with small amounts of blood, so that the secondary bleeding can lead to shortness of breath and suffocation. Bleeding into the abdomen causes severe stomach pain and can lead to the misdiagnosis of appendicitis.
In the worst case, it can lead to hemorrhagic shock, especially with large internal bleeding, which represents a medical emergency. There is a drop in blood pressure and an increase in heart rate. Important organs of the affected person are no longer supplied with sufficient blood and can quickly die. If the patient is left untreated, severe blood loss can lead to death.
If the bleeding continues long after the operation, a large amount of iron is lost. Iron is important for blood formation and this leads to anemia (iron deficiency anemia). The performance of the person affected decreases sharply and he is characterized by chronic fatigue.
When should you go to the doctor?
Secondary bleeding is a typical complication of surgery and is usually unproblematic. A visit to a doctor is recommended if there is heavy bleeding in the throat and throat, as there is an acute risk of suffocation. In the case of intense or long-lasting secondary bleeding, a doctor must also be consulted. Light bleeding should be clarified if it leads to major symptoms such as nausea and vomiting or inflammation in the area of the scar.
This is especially true if the bleeding was caused by a fall or unnatural movement. If it is suspected that the surgical scar has reopened, this must be discussed immediately with the responsible doctor in order to avoid further complaints and serious complications. Secondary bleeding, which is accompanied by a drop in blood pressure and an increase in heart rate, is an indication of severe hemorrhagic shock. In this case, the emergency services should be alerted immediately. Chronic bleeding should be clarified by the attending physician so that there is no anemia and deficiency symptoms.
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Illnesses & ailments
Postoperative bleeding occurs again and again. The postoperative bleeding tendency is determined by external factors and depends on the individual constitution of the patient. Bleeding may be noticed after surgery if the recovery room is closely monitored and the patient complains of discomfort.
The severity of the effects of rebleeding depends on the location of the affected organ and the amount of blood loss. In the case of an external wound, the blood loss can be precisely localized and the wound can be easily treated by applying a wound dressing. After a short time, blood clots form a scab and the wound heals.
If an internal blood stream is damaged, a hematoma forms and the blood does not escape. Because internal bleeding can go unnoticed for a long time, it is much more dangerous. External bleeding can also be dangerous, but it is usually treated more quickly.
A liter of blood loss can be life threatening for the average adult. For children there is already a mortal danger with less blood loss. If only the small blood vessels in the upper layer of the skin are affected, blood loss is usually minimal. However, if blood vessels in the subcutaneous tissue or the main arteries are injured, severe blood loss occurs even with small cuts. If arteries are injured, the blood escapes in the rhythm of the pulse.
Excessive bleeding can lead to unconsciousness and a cardiovascular collapse. There is a risk of bleeding shock. Then the same symptoms appear as with any shock: The person affected is cold, pale and has cold sweat on his forehead. In the worst case, cardiac arrest threatens.
Hemophilia, on the other hand, is an inherited bleeding disorder and mainly affects men. Since their blood is missing an important clotting factor in this case, they can bleed to death even with minor injuries if they are not treated correctly immediately.
Outlook & forecast
Bleeding can occur in many wounds and does not necessarily have to lead to complications. As a rule, the doctor can close the bleeding relatively well with the help of electricity and stop the bleeding in the process. However, if the bleeding is very heavy, a hospital urgently needs to be visited or an emergency doctor called.
Bleeding can also occur during sexual intercourse, although it is a harmless symptom. In most cases, the bleeding stops after a short time and does not lead to further pain.
If secondary bleeding is not treated properly, inflammation or an infection can develop there. This leads to pain and an itchy sore. The likelihood of rebleeding depends heavily on the region that was operated on. Such bleeding is particularly dangerous in the area of the lungs or the windpipe and must be treated by a doctor.
If the patient loses too much blood, death can result. However, this case rarely occurs. In most cases, the bleeding can be treated and closed relatively well.
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➔ Drugs for wound treatment and injuriesYou can do that yourself
Secondary bleeding is a serious symptom and should always be checked by a doctor first. In addition to medical treatment, the symptoms can be alleviated with cold compresses and calming home remedies such as cinnamon or cayenne pepper. Herbal teas regulate blood circulation and reduce inflammation and pain.
If bleeding occurs after an almond operation, it helps to put ice cubes on the neck or gargle with ice water until the bleeding subsides. If this does not help, an ENT doctor should be consulted. External bleeding can also be reduced by using petroleum jelly or vinegar. Cornstarch, which is sprinkled directly onto the wound and stops the bleeding, helps with heavily bleeding wounds. Sugar and Listerine have a similar effect.
Alum has a hemostatic effect and can be applied directly to the wound in the form of an alum stick or an alum block. In addition, it is advisable to change the dressing and bandage the wound with a sterile bandage. If possible, the affected part of the body should be raised and protected until the bleeding stops. Acute bleeding can be stopped by applying constant pressure to the wound.
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