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Advances in modern medicine have allowed surgeries to become less invasive through the use of miniature cameras, which allow surgeons to perform operations without leaving scars longer than about an inch. While laparoscopic surgery has the benefit of reduced invasiveness, it does come with its setbacks.
Due to reduced visibility overall because of cameras in tight spaces, surgeons have been known to misidentify organs and make incisions where they were not intended. Injuries sustained due to these errors may be defined as medical malpractice— especially when they go uncorrected and cause undue harm or death.
Causes of Injury during Laparoscopic Procedures
Laparoscopic surgery did not exist when many of the veteran surgeons that practice medicine today went through medical school; and they needed to learn how to perform the procedures on the job as a result. Many of the errors that surgeons make can be corrected if they are noticed and identified in time during the surgery. It is often the case that a “specialist” is brought in not only to oversee the procedure in general, but to step in and correct any damage caused by an operating surgeon’s error.
The main cause of injury during laparoscopic surgery is the failure to notice that an incision was made in the wrong location or when the specialist is not available or called in to repair the damage. Medical malpractice can be claimed if the surgeon failed to notice and correct damage, didn’t inform the specialist of any complications that needed a second look, didn’t observe the patient properly after the procedure for evidence of surgical error or didn’t implement the proper use of antibiotics in order to prevent or treat an infection.
Types of Injury Caused by Laparoscopic Errors
The most common injury caused by laparoscopic error is untreated internal bleeding that can cause infection, septic shock or death. Other injuries include complications that arise due to the wrong organs being nicked or lacerated during the procedure. This can result in organ failure and may require immediate action to save the patient’s life.
Even though significant advances have been made in the field of medical technology, surgeons must still do their due diligence in order to protect the health of their patients. The majority of surgical errors made during laparoscopic procedures are correctable if they are identified in time and repaired during the operation. When people suffer undue injuries due to medical error, the attending surgeons and physicians are liable for any medical costs, pain and suffering or loss of life that occurs on the part of their errors or inability to repair the damage in time.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to an error during your laparoscopic surgery, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers want to fight on your behalf so that your recovery isn’t burdened further with undue medical expenses. Contact us today for a free consultation so that we can discuss the details of your case and inform you of your rights and what damages you may be entitled to.
