Experts in Spinal Disk Repair Opine on Abnormal Side Effects

ByCody Porcoro

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Updated onDecember 21, 2017

Experts in Spinal Disk Repair Opine on Abnormal Side Effects

An Orthopedic Surgeon was sued for an incomplete laminectomy of his patient’s spine, as an attempt to remedy a disk extrusion caused his patient years of medical trouble. The extrusion had occurred years prior when the patient attempted work-related heavy lifting, and at the time she had merely exhibited discomfort without major consequences from the injury. She finally underwent a laminotomy and discectomy a year later when conservative management of the injured disk had failed. During the operation, a slight tear of the dura tissue matter was inadvertently created, and the surgeon repaired it using DuraSeal. It was a routine occurrence and strategy for these surgeries, but the patient began to complain of abnormal pain in her leg and knee, experiencing numbness and bladder incontinence less than a week later. Her difficulties with bowel and bladder function intensified, yet she was not returned to the OR for re-evaluation. Since then, she has required extensive surgical treatments including a urethral mesh sling and subtotal colectomy.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

1. Do you routinely treat patients like the one described in this case?

2. Have you ever had a patient develop this outcome?

Expert Witness Response E-000634

inline imageThe real issue would be how much nerve damage was caused, and unfortunately, in these cases, there is only one witness: the surgeon. I have seen an outcome like this, but the surgeon in question was terrible, and tied up all the nerves with a drill.

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