Surgeon Allegedly Injures Patient’s Bile Duct and Portal Vein During Routine Procedure

Case Overview

This case involves a middle-aged male patient who presented to the emergency room with occasional gastric pain that had persisted for several months. A CT scan showed that the patient was suffering from a disorder in his gallbladder and the decision was made to operate. While doctors initiated the procedure laparoscopically, when mobilizing the gallbladder was attempted, bleeding was encountered that forced surgeons to switch an open incision. During the procedure, multiple branches of what was thought to be the portal vein were tied off. They further mobilized the gall bladder and divided the cystic duct. An intraoperative cholangiogram was obtained and it was evident the common bile duct had been divided. It could not be safely repaired and an additional surgery was performed. As a result, the patient suffered significant injuries and required an extended hospital stay.