This case involves a twenty-nine-year-old female who had retained products of conception (RPOC) following her delivery. The delivery was complicated by chorioamnionitis. The treating physician failed to recognize the RPOC for two weeks, resulting in a severe. As a result, the provider improperly performed an emergency dilation and curettage causing a uterine perforation. This lead to massive intrauterine scarring, bleeding, and many other internal damages. The plaintiff alleged that the issues could have been avoided had there been proper communication between the OB/GYN office, the nursing staff, and the medical staff.
Question(s) For Expert Witness
1. What are the complications of retained products of conception and future health risks?
Expert Witness Response
The term retained products of conception (RPOC) refers to placental and/or fetal tissue that remains in the uterus after a spontaneous pregnancy loss (miscarriage), planned pregnancy termination, or preterm/term delivery. In this instance, infection usually begins as endometritis and involves the endometrium. If not treated, the infection may spread further into the myometrium and parametrium. Parametritis may progress into peritonitis.The patient may develop bacteremia and sepsis at any stage of septic abortion. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is the most common, later complication.
About the author
Wendy Ketner, M.D.
Dr. Wendy Ketner is a distinguished medical professional with a comprehensive background in surgery and medical research. Currently serving as the Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs at the Expert Institute, she plays a pivotal role in overseeing the organization's most important client relationships. Dr. Ketner's extensive surgical training was completed at Mount Sinai Beth Israel, where she gained hands-on experience in various general surgery procedures, including hernia repairs, cholecystectomies, appendectomies, mastectomies for breast cancer, breast reconstruction, surgical oncology, vascular surgery, and colorectal surgery. She also provided care in the surgical intensive care unit.
Her research interests have focused on post-mastectomy reconstruction and the surgical treatment of gastric cancer, including co-authoring a textbook chapter on the subject. Additionally, she has contributed to research on the percutaneous delivery of stem cells following myocardial infarction.
Dr. Ketner's educational background includes a Bachelor's degree from Yale University in Latin American Studies and a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from SUNY Downstate College of Medicine. Moreover, she is a member of the Board of Advisors for Opollo Technologies, a fintech healthcare AI company, contributing her medical expertise to enhance healthcare technology solutions. Her role at Expert Institute involves leveraging her medical knowledge to provide insights into legal cases, underscoring her unique blend of medical and legal acumen.
