Postoperative Bleeding

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 6, 2025.

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Postoperative bleeding is bleeding after surgery. The incision may bleed, but bleeding can also occur inside the body. The bleeding may start immediately, or several days after surgery. Postoperative bleeding can become life-threatening.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent

is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.

IV:

An IV is a small tube placed in your vein used to give you medicine or liquids.

Medicines:

Antifibrinolytic medicine may help slow or stop your bleeding.

Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions

Tests:

Blood tests may be done to show how well your blood clots.

Treatment:

• A blood transfusion may give you donated blood through an IV.
• Blood components may be given during a transfusion to help stop your bleeding. Blood components are the parts of blood that help it to clot. Examples are clotting factors, platelets, and plasma.
• A ventilator is a machine that gives you oxygen and breathes for you when you cannot breathe well on your own. An endotracheal (ET) tube is put into your mouth or nose and attached to the ventilator. You may need a trach if an ET tube cannot be placed. A trach is a tube put through an incision and into your windpipe.
• An endoscopy may be done to find the source of bleeding and to control the bleeding. An endoscope is a long, bendable tube with a light on the end of it.
• An angiogram allows your healthcare provider to take pictures of your arteries and repair them. Your healthcare provider will use a thin, bendable tube. You may be given contrast liquid to help the blood vessels show up better. Tell the healthcare provider if you have ever had an allergic reaction to contrast liquid.
• Surgery may be done to fix the blood vessel or area that is bleeding.

Treatment options

The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

• tranexamic acid
• Cyklokapron
• Zoladex
• Hyskon
• Dextran 70 6% in 5% Dextrose

View more treatment options

RISKS:

Postoperative bleeding may cause your blood pressure to drop too low. It may also decrease the flow of blood to all the parts of your body, and cause your organs to fail. Postoperative bleeding can become life-threatening.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your healthcare providers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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Further information

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