Common Types of Surgical Errors

Going under the knife can be scary, but it’s sometimes necessary to treat certain conditions. While we expect to come out of the surgery feeling better, it doesn’t always happen. In fact, even the most skilled surgeons can make mistakes. Unfortunately, these mistakes can result in serious injuries that can affect you for the rest of your life. Let’s take a closer look at the common types of surgical errors:

Performing the Wrong Procedure

Believe it or not, there have been instances when surgeons have performed the wrong procedure on patients. When this happens, a patient will not only have to undergo the original procedure. He or she may also have to receive treatment for any damage that occurred from the first surgery.

Leaving a Foreign Object Inside a Patient

Many surgeries require doctors to use a variety of surgical tools, like scalpels, sponges and clamps. It’s important for doctors and surgical staff to keep track of these tools so that they aren’t accidentally left in the body. Unfortunately, sometimes they don’t pay careful enough attention and forget to remove these tools from the body. This can lead to many different complications, like infections, internal bleeding, severe pain and damage to internal organs.

Operating on the Wrong Patient

Surgeons also operate on the wrong patient more often than you may think. This can happen when they forget to perform a preoperative verification to ensure they are performing an operation on the correct person.

Injuring a Nerve

Many patients have also suffered nerve injuries during surgeries. If a surgeon drops a flicks a scalpel or other surgical instrument the wrong way, it can damage a nerve. Nerve damage can lead to pain and permanent disability.

Anesthesia Errors

Anesthesia errors are one of the most dangerous types of surgical mistakes. If an anesthesiologist administers too much or too little anesthesia, it can lead to brain damage or death. If an anesthesiologist fails to inquire about a patient’s medical history and administers a drug the patient is allergic to, complications can also occur.

Causes of Surgical Errors

Surgical errors can happen for a number of different reasons. For example, a surgeon might not have performed a particular procedure very many times and doesn’t have the skills to perform it correctly. These mistakes can also happen is a surgeon isn’t properly prepared for surgery. This includes getting all the necessary equipment ready and preparing for any complications that may occur.

Fatigue can also result in mistakes in the operating room. Surgeons are known for working extremely long hours and may be too tired to perform some procedures.

If you suffered an injury during surgery, you may be entitled to compensation. It may be in your best interest to contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney , residents trust as soon as possible. He or she may help you file a lawsuit against the surgeon or hospital and get the justice you deserve. With a skilled attorney on your side, you may improve your chances of getting a fair settlement.