The incidence of surgical mistakes is reported to be alarmingly high. Surgical mistakes refer to wrong-site surgeries and negligent procedural mistakes, like leaving a tool inside the stitched wound or incorrectly administering anesthesia.
Wrong-site surgeries get widespread attention during catastrophic cases, like incorrect amputation or breast mastectomy, due to the often-incomprehensible negligence involved. Yet many times, smaller procedural surgical mistakes go unreported, undocumented, or completely unnoticed. These surgical mistakes can range from errors regarding the monitoring of patients' vital signs, the type and length of incision, the surgery itself, and the inadvertent cutting or injuring of nerves, organs, or other body parts. Post- and pre-surgical care and follow-up are also considered in the area of surgical mistakes.
Civil and criminal lawsuits have been filed when some type of
failure of either the operating machinery or the doctors caused an
accident. The wrong type of incision by a doctor could cause
unnecessary complications. Operating room equipment
malfunctions can also contribute to surgical errors. Moreover,
errors in operation of that equipment, like prolonged use of a
tourniquet without the surgeon's knowledge can cause
complications. Additionally, sleep-deprived surgeons may be
putting their patients at risk for life-threatening problems.
An experienced lawyer can help evaluate the circumstances
surrounding surgical mistakes and medical malpractice. A lawyer
evaluating surgical mistakes can advise each individual if they have
a possible case.
