Keyhole surgery, also known as laparoscopic surgery or band aid surgery, is a modern surgical technique in which operations are performed using long, thin instruments which are inserted into the body through small incisions. It is used to diagnose a wide range of conditions that develop in the abdomen or pelvis. Keyhole surgery can also be used to remove damaged or diseased organs or to remove tissue samples for biopsies.<\/p>\n
Keyhole surgery is intended to be a minimally invasive surgery (MIS) with few complications. However, the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) - an organization that provides legal defence, liability protection, and risk management education for physicians in Canada - has confirmed the potential dangers of keyhole surgery in a recently-released publication.<\/p>\n
The CMPA conducted a review of 423 closed medical legal involving keyhole surgeries. Peer experts were critical of the care provided in the majority of these cases (74%).<\/p>\n
The results of the review revealed that patients who underwent keyhole surgery suffered numerous injuries to their bowel, blood vessels, nerves and reproductive organs. The review noted that 40% of patients suffered severe harm or, tragically, died.<\/p>\n
The surgeries most frequently utilizing this technique were cholecystectomy, hysterectomy and other gynecological procedures (e.g. salpingo-oophorectomy), appendectomy (surgical removal of the appendix), and nephrectomy (surgical removal of a kidney).\u00a0 To read further about the CMPA\u2019s review, please visit: https:\/\/www.cmpa-acpm.ca\/en\/research-policy\/know-your-risk\/what-general-surgeons-need-to-know<\/a><\/p>\n Some patient injuries as a result of keyhole surgery are deemed to be unavoidable or an \u201cact of God\u201d.<\/p>\n Others are alleged to result from surgical inexperience. Complications such as undetected injuries to blood vessels causing haemorrhage or a perforated bowel can also contribute to serious injury or death.<\/p>\n Injuries from keyhole or laparoscopic surgery can be devastating to a patient and his or her family. Our medical malpractice lawyers<\/a> are experienced in successfully pursuing compensation for injuries caused by keyhole or laparoscopic surgeries.<\/p>\nHow Do Injuries Happen During Keyhole Surgery?<\/h2>\n
I have suffered a serious injury, what can I do?<\/h2>\n