Problems after ovarian cancer surgery

There is a risk of problems or complications after any operation. Many problems are minor but some can be life threatening. Treating them as soon as possible is important.

Possible problems after ovarian cancer surgery include bleeding, swollen legs or bladder and bowel problems. Other risks include infection and blood clots.

Infections

You are at risk of getting an infection after surgery, such as a wound or chest infection. Tell your doctor or nurse if you have any symptoms of infection.

They include:

• a high temperature

• shivering

• feeling hot and cold

• feeling generally unwell

• a cough

• feeling sick

• swelling or redness around your wound and your wound might feel hot

• a strong smell or liquid oozing from your wound

• loss of appetite

Your doctor can give you antibiotics. Occasionally for an infection in your wound or pelvis, you may need another operation.

Blood clots

Blood clots (deep vein thrombosis, DVT) are a possible complication of having surgery because you might not move about as much as usual. Clots can block the normal flow of blood through the veins. Let your doctor or nurse know if you have an area in your leg that is swollen, hot, red or sore.

There is a risk that a blood clot can become loose and travel through the bloodstream to the lungs, causing a blockage there (a pulmonary embolism). Symptoms include:

• shortness of breath

• chest pain

• coughing up blood

• feeling dizzy or lightheaded

To prevent clots it's important to do the leg exercises that your nurse or physiotherapist taught you. Your nurse might also give you an injection just under the skin to help lower the risk whilst you are in hospital. You might need to carry on having these injections for 4 weeks, even after you go home. This depends on the type of operation you had.

Your nurse might teach you to do these injections yourself before you go home. Or a district nurse might come to your home to do them.

It's important to continue wearing compression stockings if you have been told to by your doctor.

Chest and breathing problems

Chest infections, including pneumonia, can be serious. 

You can lower your risk by:

• stopping smoking before your operation
• getting up and moving as soon as possible after your operation
• doing any breathing exercises your physiotherapist teaches you

If you get an infection you have antibiotics to treat it. 

Vaginal bleeding

You may have some vaginal bleeding after the operation. It can be similar to a light period. It usually changes to a red or brown discharge before stopping. The discharge can last for a few days to a few weeks. 

Tell your doctor or nurse if:

• the bleeding starts again after stopping
• the bleeding becomes heavier
• the discharge is green or yellow, or smells

Do not wear tampons while you are bleeding. These can increase your risk of infection.

Bleeding in your abdomen or pelvis

You'll have some blood loss during your operation. Sometimes you may need a blood transfusion for this. There is a small risk of internal bleeding after the operation. This is rare. If this happens you may need a second operation.

Your nurse will check you regularly after surgery for signs of blood loss.

Bladder or bowel problems

After any surgery to the pelvis or abdomen, there is a risk of damage to the:

• bladder
• tubes that take urine to the bladder (the ureters)
• bowel 

Your surgeon usually notices any damage during the operation and can repair it. Occasionally you may need a second operation.

It might take a little while for your bladder and bowels to work normally after the operation. Make sure you try to pee regularly. Some people find their bowel habits change permanently after surgery.

Swelling in your legs (lymphoedema)

If you have lymph nodes taken away as part of your operation, the flow of lymphatic fluid around your body can be disrupted. In some women, the fluid may build up in one or both legs, or rarely in the genital area.

This swelling is called lymphoedema. It can develop any time after surgery for the rest of your life. Your nurse will give you information about how to reduce the risk of this happening.

Tell your nurse or doctor if you notice any swelling.

Nerve changes

Rarely, you might have changes in sensation or numbness after surgery. This might affect:

• your abdomen
• the top of your legs
• the inside of your thighs

Very rarely nerve changes can affect your mobility.

Any changes in sensation usually gradually improve over a few months.