Time is of the Essence for Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Repair

When patients suffer from complications following a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, it is extremely important to obtain immediate medical care. Patients, however, sometimes do not get the care they need because of absent doctors, or unsupported opinions by medical staff that the complaints are part of the natural healing process, will resolve spontaneously, or are the result of a patient’s low pain threshold.  The delay, however, can be catastrophic, and if the delay in treatment is clearly contraindicated, may be malpractice on its own.

Amongst the laparoscopic cholecystectomy cases reviewed and litigated by Trief & Olk, a common complaint is that early symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, and nausea are disregarded by the medical staff and treated as routine and part of the natural healing process without any efforts to determine if there is a bile leak. While any surgical procedure, including a laparoscopic procedure, requires a period of healing, when complaints go ignored, minor problems can become major ones.  Oftentimes, quick medical intervention will allow revision procedures that could prevent the leakage or free-flow of bile into the abdomen. Since bile acts as an irritating substance to the abdominal cavity and surrounding organs, quick action can be the difference between a few months or even weeks of recovery and a permanent injury. Further, as time passes, revision surgery becomes more difficult, as scar tissue forms or the injured anatomy remains untreated and deteriorates. Ideally, leaks should be found immediately. Oftentimes, however, patients are made to suffer for days or even weeks before medical care providers investigate symptoms to determine if a bile leak was caused by the laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

If you recently underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy and are experiencing complications such as nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain, the first step is to immediately alert your medical care provider.  Hopefully, after examining the symptoms and diagnosing your medical condition, your injuries can be healed with relative speed.  If not, however, know your rights and contact an attorney to discuss whether you have been the victim of medical malpractice.