LAPAROSCOPY - KEYHOLE SURGERY

Serious complications and fatalities arising as a result of laparoscopy techniques have increased in line with the dramatic rise in the use of this procedure. The general public sees numerous advantages in keyhole surgery not least of which is a lessening in pain and suffering and substantial reduction in recovery time. Although there are very well established methods for the physical procedure of these operations what is less well known is that because of the nature of blind entry into the body, mistakes which may be made as a result of an error of judgement can have serious and sometimes fatal consequences. Most laparoscopy claims arise as a result of damage to the bowel, bladder and blood vessels often through use of electro surgery to coagulate, cut and dissect.

The laparoscopy procedure involves making incisions to insert a fibre optic camera into the body which transmits live pictures of the procedure onto screens in the operating theatre. The camera is subsequently used to guide the surgical instruments around the inside of the body. The most dangerous part of the procedure relates to the initial insertion of the camera as this must be done blind and at that point there is a risk of unintended physical damage especially if there is unusual body anatomy. If a surgeon fails to follow tried and tested laparoscopy protocols intended to reduce the risk of accidental damage he may be liable in negligence to pay compensation for any injury.

General Surgery often results in surgical injuries caused as a result of medical negligence and includes:

• Operating on the wrong site within the body which has a double effect as healthy tissue is destroyed and the original problem is not rectified resulting in further surgery.
• Wrong surgical procedure, which may include removing the wrong part of the body often causing severe disability or death. Unnecessary surgery unrelated to the patient's diagnosis or surgery being carried out on the wrong patient.
• Surgical instruments including metallic equipment, sponges, swabs and other items may be left in the body. It is estimated that several hundred patients are unfortunate enough to have surgical instruments left in their body every year.

We are a national network of independent solicitors who deal with clinical negligence compensation claims and we are all members of The Law Society panel of medical negligence experts. We are franchised to make an immediate application for legal aid and for those who do not meet the financial criteria for public funding we are prepared to consider talking action under the no win no fee scheme. If you would like free advice on negligent laparoscopy or keyhole surgery direct from a specialist solicitor with no further obligation just complete the contact form and a clinical law expert will contact you as soon as possible.