Risks for any anesthesia include the following:

• Breathing problems, pneumonia
• Heart problems
• Reactions to medications

Risks for any surgery include the following:

• Bleeding
• Infection

Other risks include:

• Constipation is very common, although most patients have constipation before the surgery.
• Incontinence that is present before the surgery often improves. However, in a small number of patients, incontinence can get worse.
• Prolapse can return after either abdominal or perineal surgery.

Review Date: 05/17/2010
Reviewed By: Shabir Bhimji, MD, PhD, Specializing in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Midland, TX. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)