Tools Left in the Body after Surgery
When you are facing an operation, you have a lot to worry about without having to consider the dangers of tools left in your body after the surgery. However, this tragic accident affects an estimated 1,500 people each year. Because this error is fully preventable, it is all the more upsetting to patients and their families when it occurs.
If your surgeon has negligently left a tool in your body, you should hold him or her accountable for the recklessness. For more information, contact a Charlotte medical malpractice attorney from the trusted Law Offices of William K. Goldfarb today at 866-298-0768.
Risk Factors for Retained Instruments
Although there is no excuse for this mistake, there are several things that can make a surgery more stressful on a doctor, increasing your risk for retaining a surgical tool. These include:
- Being overweight or obese
- Undergoing an emergency surgery
- Having an unplanned change in your surgery plan during the operation
Additionally, studies have shown that tools are most commonly left in the abdomen, followed by the thoracic cavity. Also, a number of surgical instruments have been documented as left in a body, including knives, sponges, clamps, needles, and cloths.
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When a tool is left in your body after a surgery, it can cause infections and further internal damage. Often, you will need a second surgery in order to remove the foreign object. If you or someone you know has had this terrible mistake happen to you, you should consult a medical malpractice attorney about your options.
For more information, contact a Charlotte medical malpractice lawyer from the Law Offices of William K. Goldfarb at 866-298-0768 today.