Postoperative Complications
Undergoing surgery is a major life event, often filled with hope for a better quality of life. Patients place immense trust in their surgical team, expecting a high standard of care. The surgery may go well, but quickly devolve as postoperative complications make things worse. Postoperative complications can be devastating, leading to prolonged suffering, additional procedures, and, in tragic cases, death.
Postoperative Complications and Medical Malpractice
When is a postoperative complication a recognized, unfortunate risk, and when is it the result of actionable medical negligence?
What Are Postoperative Complications?
Postoperative complications are problems that arise after a surgical procedure. They can vary widely depending on the type of surgery, the patient’s overall health, and other factors. Some are common and easily managed, while others are life-threatening.
Common Postoperative Complications Include:
- Infections: At the surgical site (SSI) or systemically (sepsis).
- Hemorrhage: Excessive internal or external bleeding.
- Blood Clots: Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or Pulmonary Embolism (PE).
- Organ Damage: Accidental injury to adjacent organs or tissues.
- Nerve Damage: Causing numbness, weakness, or chronic pain.
- Retained Foreign Objects: Sponges, needles, or instruments left inside the body.
- Wound Dehiscence: The surgical incision reopens.
When postoperative complications do happen, the medical team should be able to identify the problem and treat it in a timely manner to prevent further harm. A failure to identify and react appropriately can be the basis for a medical malpractice claim.
Postoperative Monitoring Negligence: A Common Malpractice Pitfall
Malpractice claims often focus on what happened after the surgeon left the operating room. Proper postoperative monitoring is just as critical as the surgery itself.
Negligence Can Occur If the Medical Team Fails To:
- Properly Monitor Vital Signs: Missing warning signs like a drop in blood pressure (which could indicate internal bleeding) or a fever (which could indicate infection).
- Recognize Early Symptoms: Ignoring a patient’s complaints of severe, unexpected pain, shortness of breath, or numbness.
- Manage Medications: Administering the wrong dosage of medication or failing to give the prescribed medication.
- Provide Timely Intervention: Delaying necessary treatment once a complication is identified. For example, failing to return a patient to surgery promptly to stop a hemorrhage.
- Communicate Effectively: Breakdowns in communication between nurses, doctors, and the attending surgeon can lead to critical information being missed.
Taking Action: If You Believe You Have a Case
If you suspect you or a loved one are the victim of medical malpractice due to a postoperative complication, a medical malpractice attorney may be able to help.
Consult an Experienced Medical Malpractice Attorney: Medical malpractice claims are complex cases that require extensive knowledge of both law and medicine. An attorney can help evaluate your case, review your medical records with independent experts, and advise you on your legal options.
Medical Malpractice Law Firm
Kane & Silverman is a medical malpractice law firm. We can help injured people in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland. If you have questions about a potential medical malpractice claim, our legal team can help. Contact us for a free and confidential medical malpractice consultation. You don’t pay us anything unless we recover money for you.