A 38-year-old woman, who had a history of sarcoidosis and hysterectomy with removal of the right ovary, presented at the hospital with lower-left-quadrant pain. A mass on the left ovary was discovered, and she underwent laparoscopic surgery 5 days later to remove the mass, and also the ovary and fallopian tube. In the operative report, the physician noted he had removed the ovary. The patient complained of postoperative pain. Several months later, a CT scan showed the presence of the left ovary and fallopian tube. Eleven months following the initial procedure, further surgery indicated extensive intra-abdominal adhesions and an ovarian mass that required laparoscopic lysis of adhesions, as well as removal of the ovary and fallopian tube. The pathology report mentioned the presence of the tube and the ovary, which had multiple cystic follicles and a focal area of fibrosis, and a hemorrhagic area. After the surgery, the patient suffered from back pain, and 5 months later was diagnosed with hydronephrosis due to a stricture of the left distal ureter.
Patient’s claim The initial surgery was not done properly, so further procedures were required. Surgical clips used in the second surgery caused the stricture of the ureter, which required more surgery to insert a stent. However, because the stricture could not be opened, ureteral reimplantation was necessary.
Doctor’s defense Not reported.
Verdict $925,000 New York settlement after opening statements.