Surgical ICU
After a long operation or a serious injury, the first day or two decides a great deal. Pain control, fluid balance, breathing and early movement are managed continuously, because the complications that follow major surgery are largely preventable when they are watched for.
- Close monitoring after major surgery
- Pain managed actively, not reactively
- Early mobility encouraged
- Surgical team reviewing daily
Stay
1 to 5 days typically
Duration
Continuous monitoring
Anaesthesia
Sedation and analgesia as needed
About Surgical ICU
Surgical intensive care differs from medical in what it is guarding against: bleeding, chest complications from shallow breathing, clots from immobility and infection at the operative site. Pain control is central because a patient in pain breathes shallowly and does not move, which is precisely how chest infections and clots develop.
- Pain control is a treatment, not a comfort measure
- Chest complications come from shallow breathing after surgery
- Early movement prevents clots
- Drains and wounds are checked repeatedly for early bleeding
Before you read on
Everything here is general information about surgical icu. Whether it suits you, and how it would be done in your case, is a decision for your doctor after examining you.
Your consultant's instructions always take precedence over anything written on this page.
When is it recommended?
Situations in which a doctor may suggest surgical icu.
- Recovery after major abdominal or chest surgery
- Serious injury after damage control surgery
- Patients with heart or lung disease undergoing major surgery
- Post-operative bleeding or instability
- Surgery in patients who are frail or elderly
- Any operation where close monitoring is planned in advance
Procedure details
The usual sequence, from first consultation through to follow-up.
Handover from theatre
The anaesthetic and surgical teams hand over directly, so the unit knows exactly what was done and what to watch for.
Stabilisation
Pain relief, fluids and oxygen are adjusted continuously. Drains, wounds and urine output are monitored closely.
Breathing and movement
Chest physiotherapy and sitting up begin early, because both prevent the commonest post-operative complications.
Step-down
Once pain is controlled, breathing is stable and drains are reducing, the patient moves to the surgical ward.
How to prepare
What to sort out before you come in.
- For planned surgery, admission to intensive care afterwards is discussed beforehand
- Tell the anaesthetist about heart, lung or sleep apnoea problems
- Stop smoking as far in advance as possible, as it substantially affects chest complications
- Family should expect the patient to be drowsy and attached to several lines initially
- Ask what the expected length of stay in the unit is
Recovery
What to expect afterwards, and roughly when.
- Most patients move to a ward within one to three days after planned surgery
- Say when pain is not controlled, because pain that stops you breathing deeply causes complications
- Sitting out of bed and walking begin as early as safely possible
- Drains and catheters are removed as soon as they are no longer needed
- Recovery continues on the ward and at home for several weeks
Why choose Humayun for surgical intensive care
After major surgery the complications that matter are largely preventable, and prevention needs continuous attention.
- Direct handover from theatre, so the unit knows exactly what to watch for
- Pain managed actively rather than on request, because it decides breathing and mobility
- Chest physiotherapy and early sitting up from the first day
- The operating surgeon reviewing daily alongside the intensivist
Your Health Matters
Take the next step towards better healthcare.
Connect with our experienced specialists and find the right care for you and your family.
More in Critical Care
Medical ICU
Intensive care for patients whose organs are failing from medical illness rather than after surgery.
Isolation ICU
Intensive care beds that can be isolated for patients with infectious illness, protecting other patients and staff.
Postoperative Critical Care
Planned close monitoring after major surgery for patients whose heart, lungs or other conditions make recovery higher risk.
Sepsis Management in ICU
Intensive care for sepsis that has progressed to organ failure, with support for circulation, kidneys and breathing.
Respiratory Failure Management
Intensive care for lungs that can no longer maintain oxygen or clear carbon dioxide without support.
Non-Invasive Ventilation
Breathing support through a tight-fitting mask, which avoids a breathing tube for many patients in respiratory failure.
Ventilator Support
Mechanical ventilation through a breathing tube for patients who cannot breathe adequately on their own.
Haemodynamic Monitoring
Continuous measurement of blood pressure, heart function and fluid status, so treatment is guided by numbers rather than impression.
Emergency Stabilisation
The immediate work of securing airway, breathing and circulation in a critically ill patient before anything else happens.
Multidisciplinary Critical Care
Critically ill patients managed by intensivists, surgeons, physicians, physiotherapists and dietitians working to one plan.