Laparoscopy – A Simple and Safe Alternative to Traditional Surgery?

Laparoscopic surgery is now considered a simple alternative to some common surgical procedures.

Laparoscopic surgery is a non-invasive technique that allows most patients to go home the same day as the procedure. Unfortunately, if improperly performed, the patient may be subjected to serious pain and further injury. Speak with a St. Louis medical malpractice attorney if you have suffered complications from your laparoscopic surgery. If medical negligence has caused you further injury, you may be entitled to compensation for the additional medical cost and pain and suffering.

What Is Laparoscopic Surgery?

A surgeon uses laparoscopic surgery to perform surgical procedures through small incisions rather than exposing the organ entirely. In order to get a clear view of the surgical field, a small camera system is used. Guided by a cable through a small incision, the images that the camera picks up are displayed on a screen in front of the surgeon. Excessive blood loss and pain are usually minimized with this type of surgery, allowing for a faster recover time. There are a growing number of common surgical procedures that are being replaced with laparoscopy, including gall bladder removal and many uterine-related surgeries. However, these procedures are not performed without some risk, especially if the surgeon is inexperienced or inattentive.

What Are the Risks of Laparoscopic Surgery?

There are a number of risks unique to this type of surgery, including:

• The severing of the bile duct. This is an error made during gall bladder surgery that, if not corrected, can lead to serious infection and  even death.
• Bowel or intestine perforation, causing sepsis.
• An aortic puncture. If the surgeon does not realize that this major artery has been punctured, a patient could bleed to death internally.
• Not removing all infected tissue. Without a clear view of the organ, a surgeon may miss tissue that contains cancerous cells.
• Infection and burns on or near the organs.

Case Study – A Burn Injury Resulting From Laparoscopic Surgery

A Missouri woman was prompted to seek compensation for a burn injury resulting from her gynecologic surgery. During the procedure, the physician burnt her bowels causing severe pain and other discomfort. While an accidental burn is an associated risk with laparoscopic surgery, it is how the surgeon responds to it that will make a difference in the recovery. The surgeon has a responsibility to check the surrounding organs and treat them if the procedure has caused a burn or a nick. If the error is not noticed and the patient is sent home, serious complications can occur. In the Missouri case, the surgeon was ordered by a jury to pay the injured patient $500,000 for the additional pain and suffering she endured as a result.

To prevent complications after a laparoscopic procedure, make sure that you understand all of the discharge instructions before going home; especially the signs that you should return to the office or the hospital. If complications after a laparoscopic procedure have left you feeling worse, consult a St. Louis medical malpractice attorney for advice.

Call Zevan and Davidson Law Firm at (314) 588-7200.