Keyhole surgery compensation claims

Our medical negligence solicitors specialise in keyhole surgery (laparoscopy) claims. They have won compensation for many clients who have suffered injury as a result of keyhole surgery negligence.

What is keyhole surgery?

Keyhole Surgery is conducted using a laparoscope - a tiny camera that is inserted into the body, usually through the stomach. It provides a surgeon with video images to enable keyhole surgery to be carried out on vital internal organs, such as the gall bladder, bowel or reproductive organs.

Surgery is performed without the need for a large incision. During the procedure, a small metal tube is inserted and, using a telescope with the video camera, the surgeon views the operation procedure on screen. The procedure is then performed by inserting cutting tools.

It is exciting technology and, in skilled hands, offers great benefit to the patient by reducing the level of surgery involved and the recovery time needed.

Keyhole surgery/laparoscopic error

Keyhole surgery can go wrong. We have a case where the wrong part of a bile duct was cut during a routine gall bladder operation using laparoscopic techniques.

Other errors arise when the surgeon cuts too deep causing a puncture or perforation and damages other internal tissues. Perforation is a recognised risk of keyhole surgery but many injuries are caused by negligence and heavy handedness.

Serious complications and fatalities caused by laparoscopy techniques have increased in line with the dramatic rise in the use of the procedure. 

Most laparoscopy claims are a result of damage to the bowel, bladder and blood vessels often through use of electro surgery to coagulate, cut and dissect.

The laparoscopy procedure involves making incisions to insert a fibre optic camera into the body which transmits live pictures of the procedure onto screens in the operating theatre. The camera is subsequently used to guide the surgical instruments around the inside of the body. The most dangerous aspect of the procedure relates to the initial insertion of the camera which is done blind generating the risk of unintended physical damage especially if there is unusual body anatomy.

If a surgeon fails to follow tried and tested laparoscopy protocols intended to reduce the risk of accidental damage, he may be liable in negligence to pay compensation for any injury.