Surgical errors caused by medical negligence

Surgery is an important medical intervention that helps save numerous lives every year. When a patient gets wheeled into the operating room, their hopes and the hopes of their loved ones are pegged on the skill and precision of the surgical team. However, despite the advancements in medical technology and training, surgical errors due to medical negligence can still occur, leading to devastating consequences for patients and their families.

Some of the most consequential kinds of surgical errors that continue to plague the American healthcare system include the following.

Retained objects

Retained objects during surgery represent one of the most alarming types of surgical errors caused by medical negligence. This occurs when surgical instruments, sponges or other foreign objects are inadvertently left inside the patient’s body after the operation is completed. Such occurrences can lead to serious complications including infections, organ damage and even death if not promptly discovered and addressed.

Wrong site surgery

Another surgical error due to medical negligence is wrong-site surgery, which involves operating on the wrong part of the body or performing the wrong procedure altogether. Despite strict pre-operative verification processes, such as marking the surgical site and confirming the patient’s identity and procedure, wrong-site surgeries can still occur due to various factors such as miscommunication, inadequate documentation or failure to adhere to established protocols.

Organ or tissue damage

This can occur when surgical instruments inadvertently puncture or lacerate adjacent organs or tissues, leading to complications such as bleeding, infection, impaired function or the need for additional surgical procedures to repair the damage. Such errors can result from a lack of adequate surgical skill, failure to properly visualize the surgical field or negligence in handling tissues with care.

Anesthesia errors

Anesthesia errors are another type of surgical error due to medical negligence. These errors include administering incorrect dosages, using the wrong type, inadequate monitoring or failing to address complications promptly. They can lead to serious consequences like anesthesia awareness, respiratory issues, cardiovascular problems or even death.

If you or a loved one has suffered injury due to medical negligence, you may be able to seek legal recourse by filing a medical malpractice claim. Seeking personalized legal guidance is a good way to get started.