Patient Suffers Permanent Injuries from Botched Intubation

ByJoseph O'Neill

Updated on

Patient Suffers Permanent Injuries from Botched Intubation

Case Overview

This case involves a patient who suffered injuries when undergoing bariatric surgery. The patient presented to hospital and was seen by defendant to prepare for bariatric surgery. Close to a month later the defendants operated and during the surgery, the defendants made numerous attempts to intubate patient, all of which failed and resulted in a damaged larynx, vocal cords, throat and wind pipe. The surgery was ultimately aborted. Weeks later, the defendants initiated and attempted a second bariatric surgery on patient. The second surgery also involved several attempts to intubate patient, which ultimately included installing a permanent tracheostomy, and which during the course of, and as a result of, permanently damaged his larynx and caused disfigurement. A month later, patient underwent a third operation in which patient received yet another tracheostomy. It is alleged that the defendants did not follow the proper steps when conducting these procedures, and the multiple operations and intubation attempts, caused permanent damage to the patient.

Questions to the Anesthesiology expert and their responses

Q1

Do you have knowledge of the proper steps and protocols to follow when intubating a patient during bariatric surgery?

Yes, I have knowledge and experience of guidelines and safe practice for intubating patients during bariatric surgery. This is a part of my daily practice.

Q2

Have you ever had a patient suffer from these complications after intubation?

I have not had a patient suffer such serious complications after intubation. I hope this is because of sound clinical judgment and contingency planning with regard to airway management.

About the expert

This board certified Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology at a major university received completed an internship and residency at Yale University School of Medicine. He later went on to complete a second residency in his chosen specialty of Anesthesiology. He is a member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, the International Anesthesia Research Society and the Virginia Society of Anesthesiologists. He won the Anesthesiology Faculty Annual Resident Teaching Award for two consecutive years for his outstanding contribution to academia.

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About the author

Joseph O'Neill

Joseph O'Neill

Joe has extensive experience in online journalism and technical writing across a range of legal topics, including personal injury, meidcal malpractice, mass torts, consumer litigation, commercial litigation, and more. Joe spent close to six years working at Expert Institute, finishing up his role here as Director of Marketing. He has considerable knowledge across an array of legal topics pertaining to expert witnesses. Currently, Joe servces as Owner and Demand Generation Consultant at LightSail Consulting.

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