Réintervention

Réintervention, or reintervention, refers to a subsequent procedure performed after an initial intervention has been completed. It is undertaken for several reasons, including recurrence or progression of disease, complication of the first procedure, device or implant failure, or inadequate initial results. The term is used across medical specialties and in endovascular, orthopedic, oncologic, and surgical contexts.

Scope and context

Réintervention encompasses both surgical revisions (redo operations) and less invasive approaches such as percutaneous or endovascular procedures. In cardiovascular care, it may involve redo coronary artery bypass grafting or repeat revascularization procedures. In orthopedics, it can mean a revision joint replacement. In interventional radiology, secondary procedures may address restenosis, occlusion, or post-procedural complications. The exact indications and timing depend on the initial intervention, the underlying disease, patient factors, and risk tolerance.

Indications and timing

Reasons for réintervention include symptom recurrence, objective disease progression, device or implant malfunction, infection, or complications like bleeding or tissue damage. Timing can be early (days to weeks after the first procedure) or late (months to years later). Early reinterventions often carry higher risk due to acute inflammation or complexity from the initial procedure; late reinterventions may face scar tissue and altered anatomy.

Planning and outcomes

A multidisciplinary assessment, targeted imaging, and thorough risk–benefit analysis guide the decision to reintervene. In general, réintervention carries higher morbidity and technical challenges than the initial procedure, with variable success depending on context. When feasible, less invasive options are preferred, but revision surgery remains essential in many cases.

See also: revision surgery, redo procedure, restenosis, revascularization.