Surgical Instrument Left Inside Dental Patient For 11 Months

The tool was used to separate the teeth for easier extraction, but at some point the burr detached and was lost inside the wound.

Donna Delgado needed dental surgery. But after the procedure she was experiencing extreme symptoms and could tell that something was wrong. She was in serious pain, there was a lot of bleeding, her head hurt, she was dizzy, and she had sinus infections and nosebleeds.

Eventually it was determined that the source of all of Delgado’s pain and symptoms was the inch-long piece of steel that the surgeon had allegedly left inside the Delgado’s right maxillary sinus. For nearly a year, Delgado had this drill bit lodged in her sinus, causing her pain and suffering. In spite of her pain, Delgado still had to care for her children and go to work.

Delgado’s lawsuit named the oral surgeon, Ralph Eichstaedt, and Dental Health Group. According to the suit, the surgery took place in August 2008.

Delgado was told by Eichstaedt that she needed to have two teeth pulled due to decay. The surgery was scheduled for two weeks later and Delgado returned to have the teeth extracted. It appears that Eichstaedt had used a tool called a “burr” to help extract the teeth. The tool was used to separate the teeth for easier extraction, but at some point the burr detached and was lost inside the wound.

Delgado’s attorney says that there was no reason why she had to suffer for so long, since just one simple x-ray after the procedure, during a follow up medical visit, could have resolved the matter. But her attorney says that in spite of her complaints, Delgado was repeatedly sent away even though she had excellent dental insurance.
Instead, the woman says she was discharged and told that her pain was normal. She felt like she was not being taken seriously and they thought she was just complaining.

Eventually, in July 2009 Delgado needed to go to the emergency room at St. Joseph’s Hospital, when she began experiencing numbness on her right side, and she was feeling very dizzy.

The hospital doctors called for a magnetic scan of Delgado’ head, but the scan then caused the burr to shift inside Delgado’s head. This caused her intense pain, and according to her attorney, could have killed her.
Finally, the burr was discovered and though there was debate about whether actually removing the object would be safe, a specialist determined that it was necessary.

Dr. Dennis Agliano, an ear-nose-and-throat specialist, performed the removal surgery.

Unfortunately Delgado could suffer from additional problems like nickel poisoning and at the time the lawsuit was filed in 2010, Delgado had not completely recovered from her injuries.

Missouri Dental Malpractice Lawyer

If you or a loved one has suffered from a medical malpractice or a dental malpractice incident, contact a Missouri medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible. You may be entitled to compensation for losses relating to the injuries you suffered, and for pain and suffering. Doctors have a responsibility to provide quality care and follow up with surgical patients, listening carefully to their complaints in order to discover whether there is something seriously wrong. Failure to do so may be malpractice.

The awarded Zevan and Davidson Law Firm have not only the credentials, but experience representing victims of medical malpractice in Missouri and Illinois. To speak with a St. Louis dental malpractice attorney, regarding a free consultation,  call us today at (314) 588-7200 or fill out our Online Cases Evaluation Form.

photo credit: dbgg1979