A review of malpractice cases after tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To examine sources of litigation following tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy.


METHODS
Analysis of malpractice claims filed after tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy provided by 16 medical liability insurance companies.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Data was obtained from 16 members of the Physician Insurers Association of America. All claims were either filed or closed between 1985 and 2006. Claims were evaluated and categorized according to the type of complication.


RESULTS
One hundred and fifty-four claims were identified between 1985 and 2006. Six categories were created based on frequency of claims (bleeding complication n=27 [17.5%], airway fire n=2 [1.5%], burns n=28 [18.2%], consent related n=9 [5.8%], medication related n=9 [5.8%] and residual tissue/recurrence n=9 [5.8%]). Other less frequent claims were grouped as miscellaneous n=70 [45.5%].


CONCLUSIONS
A significant portion of malpractice claims following tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy are related to complications not commonly discussed in the literature.
Simonsen
Andrew R
AR
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, USA.
Duncavage
James A
JA
Becker
Samuel S
SS
D000233:Adenoidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002056:Burns / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008318:Malpractice; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014481:United States