Surgical Errors
Surgical Mistakes
Every surgical procedure carries a certain degree of risk. However, when you go in for surgery, you can reasonably expect that your surgeon, anesthesiologist, and other health care professionals will be careful. Unfortunately that is not always the case. Each year thousands of people are affected by preventable surgical errors, a common form of medical malpractice. Surgical errors can occur in any operation, no matter how routine. However, surgical errors most commonly occur during:
- Childbirth
- Abdominal surgery
- Laparoscopic surgery
- Gastric bypass surgery
- Thoracic surgery
- Cardiothoracic surgery
Unnecessary surgical procedures also count as a surgical error. An example can be a hysterectomy.
What Are Some Types of Surgical Errors?
Surgical errors can occur during the procedure or post-operatively. They can include:
- Delayed corrective surgery
- Leaving surgical instruments or sponges within the body
- Performing the wrong procedure
- Incorrect incisions
- Organ puncture or laceration
- Operating on the wrong body part or patient
- Anesthesia errors
Surgical Error Complications
Surgical error complications are varied and depend on the mistake that occurred. Complications may include:
- Death
- Brain damage
- Paralysis
- Coma
- Nerve damage
- Organ damage
- Cardiovascular problems
- Blood clots
- Post-surgical infections
- Septic shock
- Physical deformity
- Delayed healing
- Bleeding
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Psychological and emotional problems
Post Operative Surgical Complications
Post operative surgical complications depend on the type surgery that was performed. Post operative complications can occur immediately after the surgery or weeks/months later. Common post operative surgical complications include:
- Hemorrhage
- Infection
- Disordered healing
- Pneumonia and other respiratory complications
- Urinary problems including renal failure
- Thromboembolism
- Atrial fibrillation
- Deep Vein Thrombosis
- Adverse drug events
- Pain
Living With A Surgical Error
Surgical errors can have a range of outcomes, and often leave a patient with lifelong complications. The victim and their family may have to adapt to a new way of living and wages may be lost. A highly competent team of physicians, nurses, therapists and counselors may be needed to assist in the victim's recovery. And while some individuals do return to their pre-surgery way of living, others struggle with permanent disability, chronic pain and suffering and shorter life spans. In cases where the victim dies, the family is left with the sudden loss of a loved one as well as the loss of financial support, funeral and medical expenses, loss of inheritance, and if children are involved, the loss of nurture and guidance from their deceased parent. We can help you fight for your rights to obtain financial compensation.
To schedule a free consultation with one of our Surgical Error Attorneys, please call (646) 530-0006 or click below to fill out our Attorney Contact Form.
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