What are the common postoperative complications of meningioma surgery?

Jun 27, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Yang Ziqi

Introduction

In general, common postoperative complications of meningioma include vascular injury, infection, deep vein thrombosis, epilepsy, and cerebral edema. If discomfort symptoms occur, it is recommended to seek timely medical attention at a hospital and undergo standardized treatment under the guidance of a physician. It is also advisable to develop healthy lifestyle habits, maintain a balance between work and rest, and avoid excessive fatigue to promote overall health.

Generally, common complications after meningioma surgery include vascular injury, infection, deep vein thrombosis, epilepsy, and cerebral edema. If discomfort symptoms occur, it is recommended to seek timely medical consultation and follow standardized treatment under a physician's guidance. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Vascular Injury

Intraoperative intracranial arterial or venous laceration or rupture may occur, potentially causing cerebral hypoperfusion. Additional surgical or pharmacological interventions may be required to repair vascular injuries.

2. Infection

Postoperative infections may involve intracranial infection and wound infection. Intracranial infection commonly occurs 3-7 days post-surgery, presenting with progressive fever and elevated white blood cell count; wound infection may manifest as fever, local erythema, swelling, and pain.

3. Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis typically occurs in elderly patients, hemiplegic patients post-surgery, patients with prolonged bed rest, and patients receiving excessive hemostatic medications. Main manifestations include limb swelling and pain.

4. Epilepsy

As meningioma surgery may irritate the cerebral cortex, inducing abnormal neuronal discharges, epilepsy may develop. Epilepsy mainly presents with seizures and loss of consciousness.

5. Cerebral Edema

Cerebral edema usually peaks 3-5 days postoperatively and gradually subsides after 7-8 days. It may impair functions of the tumor site and surrounding neural tissues, causing symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting, and blurred vision.

It is recommended to cultivate healthy lifestyle habits, maintain proper work-rest balance, avoid excessive fatigue, and promote overall health.

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