January 15, 2018
Many people need to have their gallbladders removed for a variety of health reasons. The medical industry has developed a minimally invasive way of doing so by performing laparoscopic gallbladder surgery, and the vast majority of gallbladder removals use this technique. Laparoscopic procedures use specialized tools that only require small incisions, which can reduce bleeding and the risk of infection, and can shorten recovery time.
While most laparoscopic gallbladder procedures are safe and the gallbladder is removed without complications, surgeons can make certain errors during this type of surgery that can cause serious injuries to patients.
Injuries Caused by Gallbladder Surgery Mistakes
While laparoscopic gallbladder removal has become a highly routine procedure, surgeons can still make mistakes that result in serious injuries—with costly consequences. One of the most common errors occurs when a surgeon cuts the common bile duct. When cut, the common bile duct will no longer safely transport bile from the liver to the small intestine. Instead, toxic bile can leak into the abdominal cavity.
These toxins can make a patient to extremely ill. Once a leak is discovered, a patient often requires another surgery to drain the toxins and repair the duct. Some ducts may not be repairable and patients will need to have a permanent catheter that drains bile into a bag they wear on the outside of their bodies. If the leak is not discovered in a timely manner, the results can threaten patient lives. Surgeons can also nick or perforate the small intestine or other nearby organs, which can also result in sepsis and other dangerous conditions.
Losses From Gallbladder Surgery Injuries
Any surgery comes with risks, of which the patient should be notified. However, a patient should not have to take the risk that a doctor will make a careless error during a surgery and cause lasting injuries. The losses a patient can suffer from gallbladder surgery errors include:
- Unnecessary medical bills from hospitalizations, additional surgeries, and other treatments
- Lost income from missing work due to a longer recovery time
- Pain and suffering of additional surgeries and recovery
- The emotional suffering of having a catheter and external bile bag when needed
If an injury occurred because a surgeon acted in a negligent manner, resulting in these or other extensive losses, injured patients deserve to hold that surgeon fully accountable.
Gallbladder surgery cases are complicated, and not every surgical error rises to the level of medical malpractice. It is important that you have a highly skilled medical malpractice attorney review your case and advise you of your rights and the possible value of your claim.
Contact a St. Petersburg Gallbladder Surgery Injury Attorney Today
The Khonsari Law Group in St. Petersburg handles highly technical laparoscopic gallbladder surgery cases and protects the rights of patients who suffered serious surgical injuries. If you sustained unnecessary injuries or complications from this type of surgery, please call (727) 269-5300 or contact us online for a free case evaluation with a medical malpractice attorney today.