Complication

Complication is an unexpected and often adverse development that makes a situation more difficult. In medical usage, a complication refers to a new medical problem that arises during the course of a disease, or after a medical procedure, and that is distinct from the original condition. Complications can affect recovery, prognosis, and management. They can be caused by the disease itself, its treatment, hospitalization, or patient risk factors. Examples include postoperative infection, bleeding, organ failure, thrombosis, or adverse drug reactions. In obstetrics, pregnancy complications include preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, placental disorders, and fetal growth restriction; these require monitoring and may influence timing of delivery.

In surgical contexts, postoperative complications such as wound infection or pneumonia can prolong hospitalization. In chronic diseases, a complication may be a secondary condition, like heart failure as a complication of hypertension, or kidney injury from diabetes.

In daily language, complication also describes any factor that makes a plan harder to execute, such as legal, logistical, or financial issues. In literature and storytelling, a complication is an event that disrupts the protagonist’s goals and creates rising tension, often driving the plot toward a climax.

Prevention and management of complications focus on risk assessment, preventive measures, early detection, and prompt treatment, aiming to minimize morbidity and mortality and improve overall outcomes.