Medical Malpractice Involving Surgical Errors

Medical Malpractice Involving Surgical Errors by Patricia Woloch

It is commonly known that any surgical procedure carries a certain level of risk for the patient. While the majority of operations are performed without any problem, there are those instances where something goes wrong during surgery and the patient is left in worse condition than before. In some cases, the patient dies from the surgical error.

Surgical errors can be caused by a number of things:

• Poor preparation prior to the surgery
o a lack of attention to the patients’ medical history including not being completely aware of all medications currently taken by the patient and how those will affect the surgical procedure
o a lack of understanding as to the anesthesia needs of the specific patient including the patients’ tolerance for being anesthetized
o inexperience on the surgeon’s part and possible lack of complete understanding for how the procedure is to be done
• Errors made during the procedure
o Wrongful administration of anesthesia, which can be life threatening and pose the risk of permanent brain damage, asphyxia, coma or death
o Incorrect incisions made by a surgeon not fully trained in the procedure being performed, which can lead to nerve damage, perforated organs, permanent disfigurement, excessive bleeding or death
o Misuse of surgical equipment including unsterile or improperly functioning instruments, which can again lead to nerve damage, perforated organs, permanent disfigurement, excessive bleeding and even death
o Negligence in accounting for all surgical items and equipment following the procedure; including surgical instruments or sponges being left in the patient can lead to serious infection and even death • Poor post-surgical follow up
o Lack of proper medical care following surgery can lead to delayed healing, septic shock, life-threatening infections or death

There have even been reported cases of surgeons performing a surgical procedure on the wrong part of the body and even on the wrong patient.

About the Author
If you believe you or someone you love has been the victim of a surgical error, we can help you get the compensation you deserve. Please visit the website of Craig Goldenfarb, P.A. today.