Cases of surgical instruments being left inside patients

The prospect of having to undergo any type of surgery is stressful. The good news is that most people make a full recovery without any issues. The sad news is that, sometimes, a surgeon will commit an act of negligence during a surgical procedure. 

Surgical instruments left inside a patient is one of the more common acts of negligence committed by surgeons. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), instruments are most often left behind in the abdomen, retroperitoneum, and the pelvis. It is estimated that, out of 28 million operations performed each year in the U.S., there are approximately 1,500 cases involving retained surgical instruments after surgery.

What are the consequences to patients who have been victims of this type of negligence? That actually depends on which surgical tool it is. In some cases, patients could go for months or even years without being aware that they have a foreign object inside of them.

For other patients, the retained tool could cause an infection, severe pain, digestive problems, fever, swelling, heavy internal bleeding, bowel perforations, and/or an obstruction resulting in serious, long term effects or even the death of the patient.

Is it medical malpractice?

A surgeon could use hundreds of different surgical instruments and/or tools during one operation, depending on the complexity of the procedure. Here are the most common tools left inside patients’ bodies:

  • Sponges
  • Scalpels and scissors
  • Drain tips
  • Needles
  • Clamps and/or forceps
  • Gloves

Medical sponges account for approximately 70% of retained objects.

Human error results in the majority of cases involving retained surgical instruments and tools. Fatigue, improper management systems, inexperienced staff can all contribute to errors leading to a surgeon leaving surgical instruments inside a patient.

Surgical procedures involving more than one surgical team, a significant loss of blood, emergency operations, changes in nursing staff during the procedure, or a patient that has a high body mass index are all additional factors that could increase the risk for instruments and/or tools left inside of a patient.

While these incidents are uncommon, when a surgeon makes an error due to negligence or carelessness that results in the injury or death of a patient, a claim of medical malpractice may be brought against the surgeon in question.

If you have been a victim of this type of negligence, speak with a legal professional experienced in litigating medical malpractice cases in order to help you get the compensation you need for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

A surgery to fix the surgery

Unfortunately, removing surgical instruments left behind usually requires additional, and possibly risky surgical procedures to correct the surgeon’s mistake. This could mean added recovery time for the victim as well as added financial obligations. 

If you feel that you’ve been injured by a negligent surgeon, Scott S. Harris, San Diego attorney for medical mistakes, has more than 30 years of experience handling malpractice cases. Contact our office to schedule a consultation.