Forgotten Instruments

Surgeons typically operate on an individual in a somewhat crowded space with many hands around the operating table. There are numerous small instruments in use and even more places outside of the body for the instrument to hide. While it is true that the instruments can be hidden by other instruments, it is also a problem that they are sometimes forgotten in an individual’s body cavity.

A variety of instruments have been reported as forgotten in the body cavities of people across the country. While it is not a common error, it does still happen. Fortunately, this error is not a permanent one. It does mean extra surgery but it is not in the same league as amputating the wrong limb or operating on the wrong part of the body completely.

When an instrument is left in the body, it is sometimes found before the sutures are even fully in the body. Other times, it is not found until months later when the individual complains of pain. If the instrument has a sharp point to it, the danger of a forgotten instrument is much greater than if the instrument forgotten is a small angled mirror or something blunt.

Surgical errors occur in hospitals across the country on a daily basis. Surveys have decided that many of the errors that occur could be eliminated, or at least reduced, if the surgical team went through a simple checklist at the beginning of the surgery and at the end of the surgery, before all of the sutures are in.

Contact a Philadelphia Medical Malpractice Lawyer

If you have been the victim of a surgeon or hospital’s error, contact the Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. at 610-667-7511.