Surgical error is a common form of medical malpractice. While there is always risk involved with any surgical procedure, a surgical patient has a reasonable expectation that the doctor will perform the surgery without error. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Surgical medical errors in the operating room are often due to negligence, mistakes with anesthesia, surgical errors, damage caused to surrounding tissues, failure to treat the specific problem, and more. Medical malpractice can occur even before the surgery in failure to prepare properly and evaluate a patient’s health status. In more severe cases, surgeons operate on the wrong patient or the wrong area of the body altogether. For all of these serious medical mistakes, medical professionals can be held culpable.

Trauma surgical errors can cause permanent disfigurement and complications due to post-surgical infections. There are several different categories of surgical errors:

• Wrong-site surgery – operating in the wrong area of the body.
• Wrong surgical procedure – performing an incorrect surgery. This can include removing the wrong part of the body, such as limbs, organs, and tissue.
• Surgical instrument left in the body – retractors, sponges, and surgical towels can all be left in the body. According to the Center for Disease Control, approximately 15,000 surgical patients have had a surgical instrument left inside their body in the past few years. 
• Surgery unrelated to the patient's diagnosis.
• Wrong patient surgery.
• Damage from a planned surgery – this can occur when damage is not a risk that was explained to the patient before undergoing surgery.

According to the Institute of Medicine, about 98,000 hospital patients are killed every year as a direct result of medical malpractice. Here is a list of the most common types of surgeries where surgical errors occur:

• Gastric bypass
• Childbirth
• Cardiothoracic
• Thoracic Surgery
• Laparoscopic intestinal surgery
• Plastic surgery/cosmetic surgery

Here are several cosmetic surgical procedures where the medical malpractice of surgical errors may occur:

• Otoplasty – ear surgery
• Rhytidectomy – face lift
• Rhinoplasty – nasal surgery
• Breast augmentation
• Liposuction

Finding a qualified medical malpractice lawyer is important to the success of the surgical error case. A medical legal battle requires that the attorney possess in depth knowledge of both legal and medical matters. A surgical error case can be very difficult to prove without the proper resources, however a reputable medical malpractice lawyer will understand how to successfully investigate and litigate the case.

We at Munley, Munley & Cartwright are committed to handling claims of individuals harmed or killed by traumatic surgical errors. We will spend the time with you and your family members to gain a deep understanding for each and every way the injury has affected your life. Our staff is committed to trying to make your life easier, and we will endeavor to put you in contact with support groups and treating doctors as your case may require. For a free claim evaluation and discussion of your legal options, please contact us today.