The plaintiff, age 26, was admitted as an outpatient for surgical removal of her gallbladder. The surgical procedure, known as a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, was performed by the Doctor and lasted for approximately one hour and twenty-five minutes. On December 30, she was discharged from the hospital. On January 2, she was readmitted with complaints of persistent abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant, vomiting, and dehydration. She developed abdominal distension due to fluid accumulation.
On January 5, at 4:00 p.m., the patient was transferred to another hospital in Tulsa and she underwent complicated emergency surgery to repair numerous and egregious errors made by the Doctor. During the surgery, 2,000 ccs of bile was found within the abdominal cavity. The bile streamed from the biliary ducts severed by the Doctor. She underwent extensive surgery out of state and continues to suffer incapacitating pain and permanent injury. It was discovered that prior to his treatment of the woman, at least one hospital had suspended, limited, and/or terminated this Doctor’s medical staff privileges as a result of injury to patients during laparoscopic gallbladder surgery.
Outcome:
A settlement was reached. The terms of the settlement are protected by a confidentiality agreement.
