Removal of Healthy Organs During Surgery
Everyone’s body is unique, which is why medical textbooks include a normal range for the size of each organ and body part, instead of a single ideal size. You might have an extra vertebra or even an extra digit, and this does not cause problems, but only makes for interesting anecdotes at social events and during your first visit with a new doctor. Your doctor will note the additional body part, or whatever the body quirk is, in your medical records to ensure that future treating physicians do not assume that it is a new development. The idea of a doctor removing a body part that is not causing any trouble simply because of a misunderstanding sounds horrifying, but this “never event” among medical errors can occur when surgeons do not read patients’ medical records carefully enough before they operate. Even in emergency surgeries, surgeons should find out the most important information by reading the relevant parts of the patients’ records. If you suffered harm because a surgeon did not read your medical records carefully enough before performing surgery, contact a Fort Lauderdale medical malpractice attorney.
A Surgeon’s Failure to Read a Patient’s Medical Records Can Be Disastrous
Chronic back pain is a common health problem, and spinal fusion surgery is a common treatment for it when other treatments, such as physical therapy, steroid injections, and discectomy have not brought lasting relief. Pelvic kidneys are also a medical condition common enough that medical students learn about them, even though the general public does not know about them. This condition occurs when a patient’s kidneys are located lower in the body than most people’s kidneys are, so that they are level with the lumbar spine. They function normally, so patients with pelvic kidneys might not even know that their kidneys are in an unusual location unless they have an MRI of their lower back.
In 2016, Maureen Pacheco of Palm Beach County, who has pelvic kidneys, underwent spinal fusion surgery at Wellington Regional Medical Center. Three surgeons performed the surgery, two of whom she had met before and who had seen the MRIs of her lower back, showing the location of her kidneys. The third surgeon was Dr. Ramon Vazquez, who had not met her before the day of surgery. Dr. Vazquez made the surgical incision in Pacheco’s abdomen so that the other surgeons could perform the spinal fusion. When he saw one of her kidneys, he thought it was a cancerous tumor, so he removed it. Thus, despite never having a history of kidney disease, Pacheco has only one kidney. She sued Dr. Vazquez, the other surgeons, and the hospital for medical malpractice. Her case settled, and she received a $500,000 settlement, although the defendants did not admit wrongdoing.
Set Up a Consultation Today
A personal injury lawyer can help you if you suffered a serious injury due to a surgeon’s failure to read your medical records carefully. Contact Boone & Davis in Fort Lauderdale, Florida or call 954-566-919 to explore your potential recovery options today.
Source:
palmbeachpost.com/news/20181101/woman-checks-in-for-back-surgery-surgeon-thinks-he-sees-cancer-removes-vital-organ
