A male patient sought a routine colonoscopy, which unfortunately resulted in the perforation of his colon during the procedure. Recognizing the error, the surgeon performed a colectomy that led to the creation of a colostomy. However, during this corrective surgery, the surgeon made a critical error by mistakenly suturing the patient’s small bowel to his abdominal fascia.
The severity of this mistake became evident when the patient’s condition rapidly deteriorated, prompting him to seek care at another hospital. Upon examination, the protruding small bowel was visibly discernible through the abdominal incision. Tragically, the patient developed sepsis and subsequent cardiac complications, ultimately leading to his untimely death.
Through the expertise of a skilled surgical consultant, our firm identified the cause of the patient’s demise, leading to a significant pre-suit settlement for the patient’s estate.
Type of Medical Malpractice: Surgical Negligence
Standard of Care Issues:
- Proper technique during routine procedures
- Accurate identification and management of surgical complications
- Ensuring the integrity of all surgical repairs and post-operative checks