Medical malpractice involving colon and rectal disease: a 20-year review of United States civil court litigation.
To determine objectively the causes of malpractice litigation involving colon and rectal disease, a retrospective review was undertaken of all cases tried in the U.S. federal and state civil court system over a 21-year period from 1971 through 1991. Ninety-eight malpractice cases were identified from a computerized legal data base, involving 103 allegations of negligence. Allegations fell into five major categories: 1) failure to timely diagnose disease, principally colorectal cancer and appendicitis (n = 44/103; 43 percent); 2) iatrogenic colon injury (n = 25/103; 24 percent); 3) iatrogenic medical complications during diagnosis or treatment (n = 16/103; 15 percent); 4) sphincter injury with fecal incontinence, resulting from anorectal surgery or midline episiotomy (n = 10/103; 10 percent); and 5) lack of informed consent, especially regarding extent of procedures or risk of endoscopy (n = 8/103; 8 percent). These data may aid in design of risk prevention strategies related to the diagnosis and treatment of colorectal disease.
Department of Surgery, Hartford Hospital, Connecticut.
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D001003:Anal Canal / Q000293:injuries; D003106:Colon / Q000293:injuries; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D008318:Malpractice; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States