Reoperation

Reoperation refers to a surgical procedure performed after an initial operation to address complications, recurrence, or residual functional issues. It may be planned or emergent and can involve revision or replacement of implants, repair of prior work, removal of hardware, or correction of results from the first operation. While “revision” is a related term, reoperation is a broader designation that encompasses a range of subsequent interventions across specialties.

Indications for reoperation include postoperative complications such as infection, bleeding, or anastomotic leaks; hardware or prosthesis failure; disease recurrence or progression; incomplete resection or inadequate correction of a deformity; and problems arising from scar tissue or adhesion formation. The timing of reoperation varies from early (within days to weeks of the first operation) to late (months to years), and it may be urgent or elective depending on the clinical scenario.

Decision-making for reoperation involves reassessment of risks and benefits, patient factors, prior surgical history, and available alternatives. Preoperative evaluation often includes imaging and laboratory tests, and planning may require multidisciplinary input. Because reoperations commonly contend with scar tissue and altered anatomy, they can be more technically challenging and carry higher risks than primary procedures. Potential outcomes include improvement in symptoms or function, but there is also an elevated risk of complications, longer recovery, and the possibility of additional subsequent procedures.

Examples of reoperation occur across specialties, including general surgery (repair of leaks or abdominal reoperations), orthopedics (revision arthroplasty or hardware adjustment), neurosurgery (repeat decompression), and plastic surgery (revision reconstruction). See also revision surgery, secondary procedures, and postoperative complications.