Updates in medical malpractice: an otology perspective.
OBJECTIVE
Most surgeons at some point are involved in a medical malpractice case. There has been an increase in the number of manuscripts that analyse malpractice databases and insurance claims, as well as commentaries on the current medicolegal climate recently. This manuscript broadly reviews articles of interest to all providers and then focuses on malpractice in otology.


RESULTS
Medical malpractice articles (particularly topics related to otologic surgery published within the last 1-2 years) were searched. The growing body of literature can be divided into the themes of general negligence, mitigating injuries and the use of clinical practice guidelines in the courtroom as guidance for expert witnesses.


CONCLUSIONS
Recent findings suggest that the frequency of malpractice claims may be decreasing. Hearing loss and facial nerve injury are the most common injuries associated with otologic surgery. These injuries can be costly when negligence is found. Clinic practice guidelines are slowly being used as evidence in the courtroom and there are established guidelines that an expert witness must follow should a surgeon be called to give testimony.
Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.
Douglas S
DS
Ruhl
Philip D
PD
Littlefield
D005104:Expert Testimony; D006801:Humans; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013506:Otologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data