Surgery Risks & Complications

Thomas Dunbar has written two prominent articles on the risks and complications involved in gallbladder surgery, also referred to as laparoscopic cholecystectomy.  An injury to the patient during this surgery can be life-threatening and cause life-long consequences.  Both laymen and legal practitioners should be aware of the future risks prior to resolving a claim of medical negligence causing bile duct injury.  For additional information, please read these two articles by Thomas Dunbar:

SAGES is a professional organization of surgeons who specialize in laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures, and it publishes guidelines and procedural information for its members. SAGES reports that over 750,000 gallbladder removal surgeries are conducted each year in the U.S. Injuries to the bile duct have increased since laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedures were introduced. According to SAGES, injuries to the bile duct occur in about 3 of every 1000 procedures. The following is information published by SAGES that addresses these issues:

Strategies for Minimizing Bile Duct Injuries

Guidelines for the Clinical Application of Laparoscopic Biliary Tract Surgery

The following are articles from various sources that address important issues in medical malpractice and health issues:

Wrongful Deaths in Catheterization Labs While Removing Pacemakers and Defibrillator Lead Wires

​Before surgery, check your surgeon’s schedule to minimize risk

The one thing you should do to avoid becoming a victim of medical malpractice

A small number of physicians account for a disproportionately large number of malpractice claims

When a brain surgeon becomes a malpractice lawyer – the inside story

U.S. Food and Drug Administration has ordered the recall of machines used to disinfect endoscopes

Defectively designed duodenoscopes may be related to patient deaths

Medical authorities admit that cancer is overdiagnosed and misdiagnosed

Why did a laparoscopic cholecystectomy result in the death of the patient?

Surgeons and patients are demanding image-guided technology for their procedures

Are Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) putting patients in peril?

Heartburn medications linked to kidney disease

Medical errors – 3rd leading cause of death in USA

Poor Quality Surgical Instruments Place Patients at Risk

Lax Oversight Leaves Surgery Center Regulators and Patients in the Dark