Karlin & Karlin

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) became popular in the late 1980s, and quickly became one of the most common surgical procedures in America. More than 750,000 “lap chole” procedures are performed every year. Unfortunately, the complication rate for laparoscopic cholecystectomy remains higher than the complication rate for open cholecystectomy.
The most common complications related to medical malpractice include bile duct injuries, excessive bleeding, bowel perforation, and burns to the hepatic ducts.
If you have suffered injuries as a result of complications during gallbladder surgery, reach out to a Corona Gallbladder surgery malpractice lawyer today.
Doctors are trained to visualize a patient’s anatomy during surgery and to never cut if they’re not sure what they’re cutting. Yet, many surgeons, in a rush to complete the operation, make assumptions about a patient’s anatomy and simply start cutting. For example, many times the surgeon accidentally cuts the common hepatic duct instead of the cystic duct. As another example, sometimes the surgeon accidentally plays surgical clips on the common bile duct, causing a stricture.
These injuries are usually avoidable and are typically caused because the surgeon cut without being able to see what she/he was cutting. Surgeons are trained to remove all tissue except for the cystic duct and artery, so they can see the liver bed and then carefully identify all structures between the gallbladder and liver. These safety procedures are so important that doctors are supposed to document them when they perform them. When a doctor fails to comply with safety procedures, and a patient suffers an injury as a result, a gallbladder surgery malpractice attorney in Corona could help with proving liability against the negligent doctor.
There are methods for discovering complications during the procedure, such as the use of a cholangiogram. Between 2% and 15% of lap chole procedures are “converted” to an open procedure, most commonly because of acute cholecystitis, when bile becomes trapped in the gallbladder. If these complications are identified correctly, then a recovery procedure can begin, like an ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram) under anesthesia with stents. Yet, doctors often ignore the signs of a problem and complete the surgery. When that happens, the patient can develop severe complications from the untreated injury including infection, cholangitis, sepsis, and death.
If you were a victim of medical error, our team at Karlin & Karlin, APLC is here to protect your interests. We have been protecting the rights of personal injury and medical malpractice victims for over 40 years and we know how to get results. A Corona gallbladder surgery malpractice lawyer understands how to recognize the signs of medical malpractice and can help you prove the fault of the medical professional(s) responsible for your injuries. With millions recovered for previous clients, you can feel confident knowing that our medical malpractice attorneys will be standing by your side, seeking the full amount of compensation that is owed to you.
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