Emedinews:Insights on Medicolegal Issues:Surgical error death

A UK survey has suggested that the damage to underlying structures is the commonest complication for which patients successfully sue surgeons.

• The survey found that damage to veins, nerves and other underlying structures accounted for nearly one-third of 115 successful claims, with infection accounting for another 12%.
• Patients also sued successfully after they were burnt by diathermy, after spirit–based skin preparations ignited and after adverse reactions to iodine.
• Retained items and failed or delayed diagnosis accounted for 8% and 7% respectively of successful medical negligence claims.
• The retained items, which included a pair of forceps and a surgical pack after a hemorrhoid surgery occurred despite formal written procedures for swab and needle counts in operating theatres.
• The top award was for £550000 ($880000) and was allocated to relatives of a patient with a history of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism who died of an embolism four weeks after elective surgery for varicose veins. The patient had received no anticoagulant treatment until two weeks after surgery.