Complications in Cardiothoracic Surgery

It is the practical experience gained in the operating room and on the wards dealing with complications and deviations from the typical or average scenario that matures and fully develops a surgeon. The typical textbook demonstrates the “right” or standard way to do things and the implicit assumption is that if these guidelines are followed then the patient and the surgeon's life will be complication free. Good results come from experience and experience is gained by making mistakes. The goal of this book is to minimize the frequency of surgical complications and maximize the outcome when they do occur by allowing the reader to learn from the operative and clinical experience of those who have gone before so that each generation can collectively stand on the shoulders of the preceding generation without the need to learn from one's own complications. This book is therefore designed less to address indications for operations than how to carry them out and provide postoperative care without complications. While the authors of the various chapters address the correct or right way to perform operations and care for patients after surgery, they have also been tasked to address and emphasize specific dos and don'ts for both intraoperative techniques and postoperative care that will reduce the incidence of complications. As some complications, alas, are inevitable, also addressed are the issues of timely recognition and appropriate treatment of complications when they do occur despite best efforts.