[Medicolegal consequences of a recurrent nerve palsy after thyroidectomy. (Including a contribution on the function of the medical expert) (author's transl)].
An Ear, Nose and Throat surgeon was accused because a unilateral recurrent nerve palsy arose after a thyroid operation. The patient was making unreasonable financial claims. The otolaryngologist who provided the medicolegal report recognised that the whole personality of the plaintiff should be assessed by an additional neuro-psychiatric examination. The reporting specialist concluded that she was suffering from an involutional depression and that her symptoms and complaints against the surgeon were attributable to her depression and not to the operation. The facts of the litigation, medicolegal details and judgement rejecting the indictment are presented. The possibility of a reverse "malpractice suit" is discussed by the authors.
D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications; D005104:Expert Testimony; D005260:Female; D005860:Germany, West; D006801:Humans; D008318:Malpractice; D008875:Middle Aged; D061226:Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injuries; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000209:etiology*
Medico-legale Folgen einer Schilddrüsenoperation mit nachfolgender Rekurrensparese. (Zugleich ein Beitrag zur Funktion des medizinischen Sachverständigen).