Complications from Gall Bladder Surgery Can Occur Due to Physician Mistakes

According to an article published in the journal Surgical Endoscopy, 12:310 (1998) entitled “Common Bile Duct Injuries During Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy That Result in Litigation”, the worst complications of laparoscopic gallbladder surgery are injuries that are caused by a physician.

The study examined the outcome of 78,747 laparoscopic gallbladder surgeries from a total of 98 studies.  The author reviewed 46 cases that were involved in malpractice litigation.  All types of bile duct injuries were represented including transactions, excisions, lacerations, clip impingement cases, electrocautery burns, bile leaks and cystic duct leaks.  The injuries occurred whether experienced or inexperienced surgeons performed the operations.  The incidence of bile duct injuries ranged from .36 to .47 percent.  However, there is an underestimation of the true incidence of injuries.