Litigation claims in vascular surgery in the United Kingdom's NHS.
OBJECTIVE
To establish the incidence, costs and causes of medical negligence claims in relation to vascular surgery in the UK's NHS.


METHODS
All claims related to vascular surgery reported to the NHS Litigation Authority from April 1995 to April 2007 were included in the study. Data was subsequently reviewed, coded and analysed.


RESULTS
395 claims were identified (mean: 49/year over last 5 years) of which 303 had been settled. Damage compensation was given in 160 cases, with overall litigation costs of approximately 17 million pounds (21 million euros). The main complaint reasons in successful claims were intra-operative problems (50%), failure/delay of treatment (14%) and failure/delay of diagnosis (11%). Varicose vein (VV) surgery was involved in 48% of successful claims, with intra-operative nerve and vessel damage being the major causes. Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) disease were the next two types of disease/procedures involved in successful claims with 21% and 6% respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The number of claims related to vascular surgery has remained stable over the past 5 years. Improved consenting and higher surgical skill levels especially in relation to VV surgery and increased diagnostic vigilance in PVD, AAA disease and infections are potential areas for future improvement.
Markides
G A
GA
Vascular Unit, East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, Burnley General Hospital, Casterton Avenue, Burnley, Lancashire, United Kingdom.
Subar
D
D
Al-Khaffaf
H
H
D006801:Humans; D016365:Liability, Legal; D008318:Malpractice / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013222:State Medicine; D006113:United Kingdom; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures