Abdominal Surgery Negligence Claims
Abdominal surgery can cover a wide variety of surgical procedures with both open surgery and laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery as methods for undertaking the operation. Negligence during abdominal surgery is also a significant source of compensation claims as there is considerable scope for procedures to go wrong.
Types of abdominal surgery
Numerous operations for a variety of problems can lead to surgery of the abdomen, such as the following:
- Hysterectomy
- Removal of ovaries or ovarian cysts
- Caesarean section
- Removal of the gallbladder
- Removal of the appendix
- Digestive tract surgery e.g. for Crohn's Disease
- Cancer of the stomach
- Repair of a perforated bowel
Complications can arise as a result of any of the above, as well as other procedures, causing traumatic and long-term problems for the patient.
Why do complications arise in abdominal surgery?
Accidental Injury
Numerous vital organs are found in the abdomen in close proximity to each other. It is possible for a surgeon to misidentify an organ or accidentally damage one part of the abdomen whilst operating on another such as injuring the bladder during a hysterectomy or damaging the bowel during a colonoscopy. The bile duct can easily be cut during the removal of the gallbladder or a blood vessel damaged during a caesarean section.
If the operation is being carried out via keyhole surgery, injuries may be more likely to surrounding organs due to a limited field of vision.
Causing damage to a neighbouring anatomical structure during abdominal surgery is not necessarily an example of negligence, but failing to notice the damage and failing to repair it at the time may well be.
Infection
Infection is another risk of abdominal surgery and failure to administer prophylactic antibiotics before surgery may be considered negligent.
Damage to a part of the digestive tract during surgery can allow bacterial waste to leak from the bowel, leading to infection of the peritoneum. This can, in turn, cause sepsis which can be life-threatening.
Necrotising fasciitis, another life-threatening condition, frequently affects the abdomen, and surgery offers a perfect opportunity for the infecting bacteria to enter into the deep tissue of the body.
DVT
Deep Vein Thrombosis subsequent to surgery can lead to a life-threatening pulmonary embolism if a blood clot travels to the lung and blocks an artery.
Patients who are due to undergo extended surgery or who require extended bed rest after surgery are particularly at risk of this development and need to be treated accordingly.
Post-operative Patient Care
Monitoring post-surgery patients for signs of injury or infection is vital as a prompt response may be necessary to treat the condition and, potentially, save the life of the patient.
Symptoms of pain, swelling of the abdomen, and flu-like symptoms should alert medical practitioners to the possibility that something has gone wrong.
Medical Negligence
If you have suffered due to negligence during or after abdominal surgery, you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation.
Contact Glynns Solicitors, a specialist medical negligence legal practice, to discuss your situation with an experienced solicitor.
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