Hysterectomy - Medical Malpractice Lawyers

A hysterectomy is a common type of gynecological surgery that is done by making an incision in the abdominal wall, just above the pubic bone or by reaching the uterine area by means of the vagina. While both of these methods are considered to be effective, both do come with a certain amount of risk. Reaching the uterine area by entering through the vagina places the patient at an increased risk for developing injuries of the urinary tract due to medical malpractice, since the bladder is located in close proximity to the uterus and the vaginal wall.

Our medical malpractice lawyers deal with Hysterectomy negligence cases. If you would like legal advice at no cost and with no further obligation just call the helpline or complete the contact form or email our lawyers offices. Our hysterectomy medical malpractice lawyers usually deal with personal injury compensation cases on a contingency basis which means that you only pay legal fees if the case is won.

Hysterectomy Medical Malpractice Lawyers

Our team of gynecological surgery negligence lawyers handle many different types of cases where women have sustained urinary tract injuries because of negligence while undergoing a hysterectomy. As is the case with every type of surgery, there are certain risks and complications that can occur, and in some cases, these issues could have or should have been avoided. If you or someone you know has been harmed from a gynecological surgical procedure, a personal injury lawyer may be able to help. Our team of medical malpractice lawyers handles a variety of personal injury cases, of which, many relate to complications from gynaecological surgery. If you would like a free, no obligation consultation, please contact us today for more information. A hysterectomy medical malpractice lawyer will handle personal injury compensation claim settlements that deal with the issues of gynecology and obstetrics arising when a physician has not administered proper care or treatment. If you would like to talk to one of our medical malpractice lawyers who deals with negligent surgery, please use the contact form on this website or email our offices. We offer free advice with no further obligation in order to protect your legal right to claim compensation for personal injury caused by negligence. There are time limits to medical malpractice lawsuits and you should take legal advice from a specialist medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible after the negligent event that caused your injury.

Hysterectomy and Urinary Tract Injuries

There is approximately a 4.3 percent rate of injury to the urinary tract for patients who undergo a hysterectomy procedure. Bladder injury rates come in at 2.9 percent, while urethral injury rates come in at about 1.8 percent. The most common reasons for these injuries include transection and kinking of the tubes.

If the ureters become transected, they can back up the flow of urine into the kidneys because they are blocked. The increased amount of pressure that is placed on the kidneys may cause the ureters to unkink, thus resolving itself, however in more severe cases of transection, urine will continue to leak and fill the cavity of the abdomen. Since this complication is often not found quickly, further damage can result.

Perhaps the most commonly occurring injury of the urinary tract resulting from a hysterectomy is bladder injuries. These occur because of slices, or punctures to the bladder, resulting in the leakage of urine into the pelvic region. This too may take time to be discovered, and may only be found when chronic incontinence is investigated and an inflammatory fistula, also known as vesico-vaginal fistula, is located. Follow up surgeries are typically required to repair this issue, although small fistulas may only require catheterization to help drain the urine.

A surgeon should always verify the procedure was completed successfully and there are no subsequent urethral or bladder injuries by ordering a cystoscopy. Cystoscopies allow the surgeon to gain a clear image of the bladder to determine if there is any type of damage, or if there are any leaks. If there are leaks, or evidence of damage, the surgeon needs to recognize it and repair it quickly.

If you would like a free, no obligation consultation with a member of our team of gynecological surgery negligence attorney, please contact us for more information. Since we have a strong background in these types of cases, as well as details involving hysterectomies, we can help with every potion of your case. Your case will always be taken seriously, and will be handled with a great deal of professionalism, care, and respect.

Hysterectomy Overview

A hysterectomy can be a total hysterectomy, in which the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries are removed en bloc, while a simple hysterectomy removes the uterus alone. It can be done in an open procedure, in which an incision is made through the abdominal wall. In a vaginal hysterectomy, the incision and entire surgery is done through the vagina. In a laparoscopic procedure, small incisions are made through the abdomen and an endoscope or camera is used to visualize the uterus and to remove things like myomas and endometriosis. Each procedure has its risks and benefits.

Risks common to all hysterectomies include the risk of infection, bleeding and fistula formation. Bleeding can occur if a major artery or vein is nicked or if the surgeon fails to cauterize a vessel as the uterus is being removed. In the same way, nerves can be damaged. Infection can occur due to bacteria getting into the incision and causing an incisional wound or a deeper infection within the pelvis. Proper sterile technique often reduces this form of infection.

In an open hysterectomy, the doctor has easy view of the uterus and rarely misses seeing the small and large arteries and veins in the surgery. The bladder is easily visualized and the risk of rupture or nicking the bladder is low. An open procedure is more painful and the recovery time is longer.

Even with good visualization of the uterus, the fallopian tubes can still be damaged and bleeding from the uterine vessels can happen. The bladder wall is above the lower uterine segment so the surgeon must dissect it away from the uterus before removing the uterus so as not to damage or puncture the bladder.

Haematoma formations can happen with any kind of uterine procedure, including a vaginal hysterectomy or open hysterectomy. This occurs when bleeding is allowed to go unchecked after the surgery. There is excessive pain and a collection of blood forms in the pelvis, called a haematoma. This can necessitate a second surgery to remove or drain the haematoma if it does not go away on its own. There can be a need for blood transfusions and anaemia from blood draining into the pelvic cavity.

Injury to the urinary tract, including the ureters and bladder occur with any type of uterine procedure, including a hysterectomy. This can cause a fistula to form at the level of the bladder that goes into the vagina. Constant urinary tract dribbling can occur or there can be dribbling only when urinating. The dribbling passes through the fistula and goes out of the vagina. This complication happens about 3 percent of the time during a hysterectomy. Damage to the ureters happens about 1.8 percent of the time and usually occurs at the level of the uterine artery. There can also be build up of urine into the pelvic space that is not noticed for a while. It necessitates a second surgery to reattach the ureter or to fix a hole in the bladder. Radioopaque dye studies such as an IVP (Intravenous pyelogram) can show if there is leakage of urine into the vagina or into the pelvic space.

If the bladder incision is not picked up on quickly, a vesico-vaginal fistula can occur. This is a chronic hole that is draining urine from the bladder to the vagina. Embarrassing vaginal leakage can occur and a second surgery is required to remove the fistula and to close the vesicular wall. Another way of treating a bladder fistula is to wear a urinary catheter to continually keep the bladder wall empty for several months until the fistula or tear heals on its own.

The author of the substantive medical writing on this website is Dr. Christine Traxler MD whose biography can be read here