Tools Left in the Body After Surgery
If you are scheduled to undergo surgery, you have enough on your mind without worrying about the competence of the doctors and nurses that will perform the operation. While many surgeons and surgical nurses work skillfully and conscientiously, some fail in their duty to keep patients safe.
Sadly, an estimated 1,500 people each year suffer from a tool left in the body after surgery. This egregious mistake can be prevented by carefully counting the instruments before and after an operation. However, not all medical professionals perform this check. If you have been left with a tool in your body after surgery, contact a Milwaukee medical malpractice attorney from Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C., today at 800-242-2874 to learn more about your legal rights and options.
The Risks of Retained Instruments
When a tool is left in your body after a surgery, it can cause further internal damage and deadly infections. Sponges are the most commonly retained object, but they can be difficult to find unless they are special x-ray detectable sponges. Other surgical instruments left in the body may include:
- Clamps
- Knives
- Needles
- Cloths
- Gauze
- Wire
Risk Factors for Retained Instruments
While no one deserves this mistake to happen to them, there are certain risk factors that can increase your chances of retained instruments, including:
- Being overweight or obese
- Undergoing an emergency surgery
- Having a change in your surgical plan during the operation
However, it is important to note that these risk factors are no excuse for negligent actions on the part of nurses and physicians.
Contact Us
Retaining a tool in your body after surgery often calls for additional surgery to fix the mistake. For more information on holding these reckless surgeons accountable, contact the experienced Milwaukee personal injury lawyers of Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C., today at 800-242-2874.