Gynecologist Causes Severe Infection After C-Section

Case Overview

This case involves a thirty-two-year-old female who developed septic pelvic thrombophlebitis shortly after being induced for labor at a local hospital. The woman was thirty eight weeks gestation at the time of induction. During the days leading up to her induction, the patient claimed that she was never examined by a physician. On the second day of labor, her amniotic sac ruptured. Within the next twenty-four hours, the patient was never seen by a physician. She was then scheduled for a Caesarean section due to failed progression of normal vaginal labor. The patient stated that she was abruptly taken to the operating room where adequate sterile technique and surgical prepping was not followed. While in recovery, the patient developed severe burning during urination. Her physician advised her that she had a bladder infection and was discharged with penicillin the next day. A week later, the patient experienced pelvic pain and urinary symptoms which included increased frequency of urination and pain during urination. The patient was taken to the emergency room where she was diagnosed with septic pelvic thrombophlebitis, which required a month long hospitalization. Additionally, this patient had a pre-existing heart valve condition from childhood. As a result of her infection, her heart valve became severely damaged requiring corrective surgery.