More than a third of surgical patients develop complications as a result of their procedure, a new study shows.

About 38% of adult patients suffer an adverse event during or following their surgery, researchers reported Nov. 13 in the BMJ. Nearly half of these complications result in serious, life-threatening or fatal harm,

A study conducted across 11 Massachusetts hospitals reveals a concerning 38% rate of adverse events during surgical procedures, with nearly half being severe. Despite technological and procedural advancements in surgical safety since 1991,