New York patients at risk for emergency gallbladder surgery may be interested to learn that a study has found that emergency surgery is more likely to cause complications than planned surgery. Due to the small sample size, researchers do not know whether these complications arise from surgical errors or other issues.
During the study, approximately 600 gallbladder surgeries were analyzed. Researchers discovered that 22 patients experienced 35 complications. Of these patients, 18 had emergency surgery performed. It was also discovered that 90 percent of all procedures that were performed at night were emergency surgeries.
While these are only preliminary findings, researchers believe that more investigation into the complications is warranted. In many cases, identifying those who are at risk sooner may reduce the number of complications during surgery. For those who have a chronic gallbladder problem, the organ can become scarred, resulting in complications when it becomes time to operate.
The study’s co-author stated that anyone suffering repeated episodes of upper-abdominal pain need to seek medical attention, as these warning signs may result in more complicated operations in the future. Symptoms of gallbladder problems usually occur after a meal and last up to four hours. They include nausea, vomiting and upper abdominal pain that is not reduced by medications.
In many cases, injuries due to hospital negligence or surgical errors are completely avoidable. For example, if gallbladder or other medical problems are not properly diagnosed, the individual may undergo an emergency surgery and subsequent complications that could have been avoided. An experienced New York attorney may be able to obtain compensation to help victims of medical malpractice cope and recover.
Source: US News & World Report, “Complications More Likely With Emergency Gallbladder Surgery: Study”, July 03, 2013
