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Pre-Op Gallbladder Discovery Could Have Prevented Extra Surgeries

A young woman had to endure two unnecessary medical procedures after x-ray findings of an additional calcified stone outside of her gallbladder were never communicated to the surgeon.

This 24-year-old woman went to the emergency room complaining of upper abdominal pain. An ultrasound showed multiple gallbladder stones. The common bile duct appeared normal. A cholecystectomy was scheduled for four days later to remove her gallbladder.

One day later she returned to the hospital with severe pain. An abdominal x-ray confirmed the presence of stones in her gallbladder, as seen the previous day, but it also revealed an additional stone outside the gallbladder in the common bile duct. The new findings were discussed with the surgical resident the following day.

Surgery was performed as scheduled. The operative report contained no mention of a stone outside the gallbladder.

Nine days later, the woman had returned to college and went to a different facility to be evaluated for jaundice. An abdominal CT showed biliary dilation and a large calcified stone in the common bile duct. To address this stone, the young woman had to undergo two endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures under anesthesia.

She recovered without further problems. The original surgeon met with the woman and her family to disclose and apologize for the miscommunication that occurred before the first surgery. The woman sued the facility for failure to identify and remove the gallstone in the common bile duct, requiring additional procedures.

Because of the surgeon’s disclosure and the sympathy he showed to the woman, the family only requested compensation for expenses. This case was settled for $100,000.

But this woman had a strong suit based on the following factors:

The surgeon never being notified about the extra stone before surgery was negligent. Patients expect all staff to communicate with each other about their case and treatment. When the care received cannot be defended, a settlement usually occurs.

The resident did not share a significant finding with the attending surgeon before surgery. Hospital guidelines and protocols help ensure a reliable system for giving and receiving important findings. These systems help to ensure that critical changes in care plans can be made in a timely fashion. A preoperative briefing can help ensure that the attending surgeon is made aware of any recent study findings.

The patient had to endure two unnecessary additional procedures. Patients expect medical institutions to communicate effectively and get it right every time. They shouldn’t be put at further risk or undergo needless procedures due to errors or mistakes made by medical staff.

For more one medical safety issues, see the library of articles by Daytona Beach medical malpractice attorney.






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