Failed Surgery - Surgical Negligence

Failed Surgery

Whenever surgery takes place there is always the potential risk for something to go wrong; even deciding if surgery is necessary must be balanced against the potential risks of further problems and complications, but by ensuring that the medical team are properly trained and qualified, that procedures are followed, and that equipment is suitably maintained and properly operated, these risks can be reduced. There are certain types of surgery that are more prone to failure than others, and these failures can mean more pain for the patient, worse symptoms than before the operation, longer rehabilitation times and in some cases, additional surgery to correct the original procedure.

There are a variety of reasons as to why surgery can fail. These can include issues on the patient’s side; such as failing to adhere to post-operative advice or continuing with a lifestyle that has caused issues to arise in the first place. However, in many cases the fault lies with the medical team responsible for carrying out the operation – and that includes issues with machinery or equipment if it had not been properly maintained or had been used without the appropriate training or knowledge.

Certain types of surgery carry higher risks of failure than others. A common issue that arises is with hip replacement surgery or hip resurfacing. In many cases the operation uses a metal cup that fits snugly over the ball of the femur (upper leg bone) and is fitted into a metal cup within the acetabulum (hip joint) reducing the friction that causes pain and hence increasing mobility and reducing suffering for the patient. When these operations are successful they can significantly improve the patient’s quality of life, however when they go wrong the effects can be disastrous.

Take for example the Hartlepool man whose replacement hip dislocated just days after his operation, leading to further surgery just one week after the initial operation. The repeated surgeries within such a small time-frame led to complications and severe pain for the patient who eventually received £560,000 in compensation from the NHS Foundation Trust responsible for managing the hospital.

Skin grafting – taking healthy skin from one part of the body (sometimes from another person; a donor) to use in the healing of another area also carries a great deal of risk. The opportunity for infection is of course very high, but there can also be complications with the body accepting the new skin, whether from its own anatomy or from a donor. When drugs are used to suppress immune responses these can significantly increase the risk of infection as the body loses some of its ability to fight the germs that can infect the wound. Depending on the severity of the outcome, patients have received between £2,000 and £100,000 for issues such as these.

Along with brain surgery, spinal surgery carries significant risks and the doctors who perform this type of operation need to be very experienced and experts in their field, but mistakes still occur, and the outcomes can be critical. A Basildon lady who fell over whilst on a bouncy castle dislocated her spine and was taken to the Essex Spine Centre where she was put under the care of a consultant orthopaedic surgeon who suggested spinal fusion surgery. Sadly, due to mistakes during the procedure she was left with significant neurological and physiological injuries including pain, muscle spasms and reduced sensation in her hands. She was eventually awarded nearly £600,000 in compensation.

If you or someone you care for has suffered as a result of failed surgery you could well be eligible to make a claim for compensation. Contact us today and let us see how we can help you get the pay-out you and your family deserve.

To learn more, simply call our experienced Medical Negligence claim team FREE, 24/7 on 0800 999 1374.

If you prefer, you can also start a claim online or request a FREE call back from our specialist Medical Negligence team.