General complications of surgery are encountered widely across many branches of surgical practice and indeed even in many of those patients who do not have any surgery, for example, venous thrombosis or catheter-related infection. These complications are often as a result of being ill, immobilized, or hospitalized or may relate to an exacerbation of underlying disease processes. This chapter aims to summarize the important nonspecific complications associated with surgery and cannot be fully comprehensive. For information concerning specific associated procedures or problems, refer to the relevant chapter or volume.
