A surgeon performs laparoscopic surgery on the gallbladder by making an incision on the abdomen. Laparoscopic surgery is often used as a means of removing the gallbladder. Inexperienced doctors or those who are not paying attention are the most likely candidates to cause injury to a patient in surgery. If a surgeon is inappropriate or negligent during the procedure, there are grounds for a malpractice suit.
In cases of negligence, the patient may experience bile leakage. A bile leak occurs when bile is spilled into the abdominal cavity. As a result the patient may experience pain and jaundice. Another problem associated with the surgery is gallstone retention. In these cases, gallstones are left in the abdominal cavity after surgery. These stones can cause severe infection or block significant areas.
Infection is a serious concern. If the bowel is injured as a result of the surgery, fecal matter can leak into vulnerable areas of the body. Surgery is often required to correct the infection and the patient will notice that the incision has become red and leaks fluid if this has occurred. The patient may also hemorrhage. This heavy bleeding does not always have a discernible cause and additional surgery may be required. Patients may experience extreme pain. The patient may also experience liver problems since the gallbladder is connected. Some patients have even required liver transplants.
If a surgeon becomes confused about which duct is the bile duct and which is the cystic duct, bile duct injury may result. The duct may tear or leak, resulting in damage to the liver. A symptom that this has happened is abdominal pain that persists and becomes worse over time. Again, this complication will require additional surgery.
In cases of negligence it is an intelligent decision to find an attorney who specializes in malpractice and negligence in the field of medicine. An attorney will be able to provide sound advice. It is vital to obtain an attorney and file a claim as soon as a problem arises because waiting can reduce the amount of evidence available for your case. It is also necessary to file quickly because many medical malpractice cases have a statute of limitations. The attorney will assist you in proving that the surgeon’s malpractice was the cause of your injuries.