Analysis of lawsuits against general surgeons in Connecticut during the years 1985 to 1990.
This study examines 42 lawsuits brought against general surgeons in Connecticut to discern which complications most often result in litigation, and what other activity prompts litigation. Analysis reveals that most cases involve injury to surrounding tissues: nerves, blood vessels, or adjacent organs. Retained foreign bodies occurred in four cases. The remaining complications concern singular complaints or iatrogenic injuries such as a Bovie burn, incorrect incisions, biopsy of incorrect tissue, etc. In addition to acute complications, four cases alleged failure to diagnose cancer and four cases alleged failure to provide informed consent. In five cases, the patient died, allegedly from the incident at issue in the suit. The study concludes that most surgical injuries are identifiable and preventible, and that many suits could be avoided.
Ahamed
S
S
Backus Hospital, Norwich.
Haas
G
G
D003237:Connecticut; D006801:Humans; D016365:Liability, Legal; D008318:Malpractice / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000639:trends*; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards*