As Elective Surgeries Return, We Need To Talk About Medical Mistakes

As the full scope of the coronavirus pandemic began to come into focus in early March, one of the first things that happened was the cancellation of most elective surgeries at hospitals and surgical centers around the country. However, elective surgeries are gradually returning to the rotation. At The Weitz Firm, LLC, our Philadelphia surgical mistake attorney want to use this moment to highlight what elective surgeries are as well as some of the mistakes that occur during these procedures.

What are the dangers of elective surgeries?

In an effort to save personal protective equipment for emergency medical situations during the COVID-19 pandemic, most elective surgeries were halted around the country. However, the surgeries are beginning to resume. Our team wants to point out that just because the surgery is elective does not make it any less dangerous than other surgical procedures. All medical procedures have risks. Here, we want to review some of the most common elective surgeries and some of their dangers.

• Plastic surgery. These procedures are performed for a variety of reasons. This could include cosmetic purposes or to restore functionality or appearance after a serious injury. Plastic surgeries do you carry the risk of infection and other dangers, just like any other surgical procedure. Some of the most common elective plastic surgeries are relatively new procedures that we may not know the full risks of at this time.
• Replacement surgery. Some of the most common replacements are knees, hips, and musculature. These surgeries can help patients minimize pain and maintain mobility after an injury or as a result of deterioration. However, these implants can fail or be rejected by the body, and those who undergo these procedures have an increased risk of infection. This can result in a patient needing more surgeries to fix any damage.
• Exploratory surgery. There are cases when physicians have a hard time diagnosing a patient, and they may recommend exploratory surgery. One of the most common exploratory procedures is a colonoscopy that can help patients prevent the development of colon cancer. However, exploratory surgery patients have a risk of developing infection along with other surgical risks. In some cases, there is a risk of a patient waking up if they are improperly anesthetized.

As with any surgical procedure, patients should be told all risks and benefits associated with surgery. They should give their informed consent for any surgical procedure that takes place.

Let us get to work on your behalf

If you or somebody you care about has been injured due to a medical mistake made during elective surgery, seek legal assistance soon as possible. At The Weitz Firm, LLC, our team has vast experience handling these cases, and we are ready to get to work on your behalf. We will investigate the incident in order to secure any compensation you are entitled to, including any medical expenses related to the mistake, lost wages, pain and suffering damages, as well as possible punitive damages against the medical provider. When you need a Philadelphia surgical malpractice attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 267-587-6240 .