Approximately 600,000 hysterectomies are performed in the U.S. every year, according to the National Women’s Health Network. For many women, this procedure provides relief from chronic pain and is an effective way to treat cervix cancer and eliminate the discomfort associated with uterine fibroids. However, in some cases, this procedure can result in potentially life-threatening complications for the patient. In this article, we explore common hysterectomy surgery errors and how to prove to medical malpractice in these types of cases.
If you’re an attorney working on a medical malpractice or personal injury lawsuit, the team at Cardinal LifeCare Consulting can connect you with a medical specialist appropriate to your case. We also create objective, evidence-based life care plans to provide a complete map of the patient’s road to optimal recovery. Call us today at 724-487-0519 to speak to one of our life care planners.
Complications During/After a Hysterectomy
Whether it’s due to the presence of uterine fibroids, a uterine prolapse, cervix cancer, or chronic pelvic pain, there are many reasons a patient may elect to undergo a hysterectomy. During this procedure, the surgeon will either remove all or just part of the uterus. As this is an invasive procedure, patients can experience a number of complications either during or after the surgery. These issues can include:
- Bladder Injury. This is one of the most common complications following an abdominal or vaginal hysterectomy. Left untreated, a bladder injury can lead to a serious infection or incontinence.
- Punctured Bowels. When the bowels are punctured or perforated, they can start to leak, leading to the spread of infection. Punctured bowels can even cause sepsis, a life-threatening condition.
- Excessive Bleeding. During a hysterectomy, if an artery is nicked or the entry wound is incorrectly sutured, the patient may experience internal or external bleeding. If the bleeding isn’t stopped, this can cause long-term damage and lead to organ failure.
- Vaginal Vault Granulation. After a hysterectomy, scar tissue may start growing above the vagina. This can lead to extreme pain and suffering that can impact the patient’s quality of life.
Proving Negligence After a Hysterectomy
Experiencing any of the above complications does not necessarily mean the healthcare provider was negligent. A patient filing a medical malpractice lawsuit would need to prove that their doctor failed to provide the same standard of care that a more competent doctor would have provided under the same circumstances. Then, the patient would need to show that this negligence directly led to the complications he or she experienced.
At Cardinal LifeCare, we can help connect you to an expert witness with extensive experience performing hysterectomies. He or she will review the patient’s case and testify on whether the healthcare provider was negligent in their duties.
We can also create an evidence-based life care plan to assess the patient’s current and future medical needs and the associated costs. A life care plan is based on a comprehensive evaluation of the patient’s medical records, applicable standards of care, cases studies, current research, and in-depth data analysis.
Contact Cardinal LifeCare to Learn More
If you’re an attorney working on a case involving hysterectomy surgery errors, turn to Cardinal LifeCare. With our expert witness services, we can put you in touch with the right medical specialist to testify as an expert witness in your case. Contact us today at 724-487-0519 to get started.
