My grandmother is 78 years old, is diabetic and hypertensive. 3 1/2 weeks ago she had a colonoscopy and in the process they perforated her colon. In the time that it took to perform the emergency surgery to close her colon her stool was leaking into her abdominal cavity and organs, etc. From this her body went into a state of shock where her lungs collapsed, she had kidney failure and had to be resuscitated. She has been in the hospital for 3 weeks and counting. She has been entubated two times and was on dialysis but that stopped about a week ago. She is now also beginning to grow some type of fungus on the lower part of the incision they made to perform the post operation and on on her vaginal area, I’m assuming this is from the areas not being exposed and are always moist. My family is considering a mal practive lawsuit but I wanted to know whether or not this is even and option.
Thank you in advance!
2007-04-27 08:51:44 · 10 answers · asked by KD 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
Perforation of the colon is a known risk of colonoscopy (approx 1 in 10,000), and I'll bet Grandma signed a consent form that stated that. She underwent the colonoscopy after being informed of the risks - that's called "informed consent".
I'm sorry to hear that things went so horribly wrong. Sometimes bad things happen, even if everything is done right. There are no guarantees in medicine.
Unless the person who did the colonoscopy acted in an irresponsible manner, and you think you can prove that in court, your family does not have a case.
2007-04-27 09:12:33 · answer #1 · answered by Pangolin 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Perforated Colon During Colonoscopy
2016-12-31 05:21:56 · answer #2 · answered by keira 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Colonoscopy Perforation
2016-11-07 08:43:08 · answer #3 · answered by zeh 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A few questions for you. Why did you grandmother have a colonoscopy in the first place? Did she have blood in her stools? Did she have an obstruction? The risk of perforation is always there in a colonoscopy, however the risk is low. In the event of a perforation, the steps that you mentioned would be taken. Considering her age and comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension), this emergency surgery put her at an increased risk for shock and respiratory failure The subsequent course of action and hospital time can be expected. This is a very difficult situation and I'm not going to tell you one way or the other whether this has any merits. I think you should educate yourself on the paticulars and see where if at all, the care that your mother received deviated from the normal standard of care.
2007-04-27 09:24:27 · answer #4 · answered by Doc 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I recently underwent a "scope and the surgeon spelled it out that there was always a possibility of perforation.
I asked if he says this to all patients. He said, he does, every patient, every time. If I have another "scope, I'll hear the same thing. And, I had to sign an acknowledgement that I was warned of the potential danger.
There is absolutely NO WAY a doctor can guarantee the results of any procedure, there is always some risk.
You could try to sue, but all the dr has to do is show the signed release and it would be very difficult to prove damages.
2007-04-27 09:30:12 · answer #5 · answered by TedEx 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's always an option, but probably not appropriate. Perforation is a known risk of colonoscopy, and it sounds like she's had a terrible time but not one that isn't part of the normal process, though obviously the percentage of people who wind up with all those problems is tiny. Malpractice wouldn't occur unless they did something outside the normal scope of practice, and you've listed nothing like that. Outcomes are never guaranteed.
2007-04-28 07:21:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Before a colonoscopy the patient fasts and drinks a special solution to clean out the bowl- TO STOP THIS HAPPENING- if stool entered the abdominal cavity it was because she didnt follow the directions to begin with
why was hse having the colonoscopy- was it to investigate a possible perferation in the first place??
lastly your grandma must have signed a consent form. perferation would have been explained as a risk factor- it just happens, especially in older people as they have thinner bowel walls and has little to do with the surgeons expertise (unless he was on drugs or drunk)
you can consult a lawyer if you wish to - obviously i dont have the notes with me to read.
2007-04-27 15:41:34 · answer #7 · answered by ozgurl6827 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh my God that is so scary I have one scheduled for Sept 4th.I have so many concerns because I have abdominal scar tissue from other surgerys. I have known several people to have colonoscopy and almost all have them have said that the procedure is life saving because polyps are located and destroyed before they become cancerous.
2016-03-18 22:07:09 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This does not sound right. Before the procedure, they flush out the entire GI system including the colon. There will absolutely be no stool in the colon during this procedure.
2007-04-27 14:17:52 · answer #9 · answered by kenneth h 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, get a lawyer immediately. These doctors screwed up royally and they are praying you don't get a lawyer. For them to screw up so badly and cause your grandmother so much pain, they need to be punished.
2007-04-27 09:46:55 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋