Appendectomy Surgery and Malpractice

Although an appendectomy surgery is a relatively common medical procedure, failure to address patient symptoms of appendicitis in sufficient time or surgical error during an appendectomy procedure can cause extreme complications for a patient. The appendix, which is measures no more than twenty (20) centimeters in adults, offers no bodily function, but does pose grave risk of becoming infected. Currently, appendicitis stands as one of more commonly misdiagnosed issues in emergency rooms, especially in cases involving infants, toddlers, and young adults. Though a known risk for misdiagnosis, the nature of appendicitis symptoms makes obtaining a definitive diagnosis difficult, and in many cases, other more probable diagnoses are considered before the decision to perform an appendectomy may be reached.

Treatment for Appendicitis

The least invasive treatment for appendicitis includes using antibiotics, but in most cases, a patient will undergo an appendectomy to remove the appendix, either through a traditional surgical procedure or via laparoscopy procedure.

Known Malpractice Risks of Appendectomy Surgery

In short, any surgical procedure presents serious risks for any patient. However, specific to appendectomy procedures, risks include anesthetic complications, perforation of the internal organs, infections following surgery, bleeding during and following surgery, and others have been cited. The most notable risk associated with appendicitis and an appendectomy is the high risk of misdiagnosis, at least initially, which allows a patient’s condition to progressively worsen, potentially causing perforation and abscess. Ultimately, failure to diagnose or treat can cause the appendix to rupture, leaving the body in a perilous state of infection.

Medical Negligence (Malpractice) in Appendectomy Surgery

In order to prove a viable medical malpractice case stemming from failed appendectomy procedures, failure to diagnose appendicitis, or surgical mistakes during an appendectomy, a patient must prove that his or her care was below the applicable standard of care when applied to his or her case. This will likely require not only the insight and counsel of a medical malpractice lawyer, but testimony from a third party medical expert witness as well.

Getting Legal Help with Appendectomy Surgery Malpractice Cases

Unfortunately, failure to diagnose appendicitis and complications during an appendectomy procedure are common occurrences, which leave patients with only legal options to address pain, suffering, and other damages sustained as the result of medical negligence. If you have been harmed as the result of an appendectomy procedure, or even as the result of a failure to diagnose the need for an appendectomy surgery, consulting with a medical malpractice lawyer is only competent source of information about your individual legal rights.