Re: Malpractice vs. Mistake (Question for Dr's)
From: Peggy (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Mon, 31 Jan 2000 18:10:01 -0600 (CST)
At Mon, 31 Jan 2000, D. wrote:
> Dr Hill,
I have commented throughout.
>At Mon, 31 Jan 2000, Peggy wrote:
>
>There are a number of possible reasons why your original doctor would
>not perform a repeat surgery. To be honest, you would have to ask him.
I did ask him and the responce he gave was that he did not want to do
the laporoscopy and not find anything and have me come back to him 6
weeks later still having pain!
Unless he did the surgery he wouldn't know if there was anything wrong.
As it turned out I had severe adhesions throughout the abdominal and
pelvic area.
>Perhaps he wanted an unbiased opinion from a doctor outside the group.
Understandable
>Sometimes with "difficult" patients, including those with very complex
>problems, or patients who are antagnostic, a second opinion from an
>unbiased source is an excellent way to reassure the patient and original
>doctor that everything is being done to help.
I wouldn't consider myself as being a "Difficult" patient with complex
problems or antagonistic although after having 3 laporoscopies I my be
more complex now! And as far as the second opinion I was told by that
Dr. that there was nothing wrong gynecolically and I should see an
orthopedic Dr. but then when he spoke to my Dr. it was agreed that he
would do a laporoscopy to take a look. I do believe that my Dr. thought
that he was doing everything possible to help me.It is just very
frustrating when you have surgery for one problem and end up with
another problem that is worse than before.ie. adhesions most likely
caused or enhanced by the infection from the hysterectomy.
>
>Hematomas are fairly common complications of pelvic surgery. There is a
>lot of blood flow to that part of the body. I can't imagine why a
>doctor would say "I missed a stitch," because if you miss a stitch
>during surgery, you simple put another one in a few seconds later.
In my previous post I stated that When I asked him if I had caused the
problem his exact words to me were"No it was my fault I missed a stitch
during surgery" Not quite the reponce that I had expected.
If
>he said something like "a stitch must have come loose" then that's an
>entirely diffent situation. Coughing, weak suture material, infection,
>etc., can all cause sutures to loosen prematurely. This is "bad luck"
>and not anyone's fault. If there was no bleeding when he finished the
>case then it's not his fault, but if you were bleeding heavily and he
>decided to close you up without trying to stop the bleeding, then it is
>possible that this is negligence and that he needs a refresher course in
>surgery.
>
>Regardless, please think of medical care this way: I got tremendous food
>poisoning by eating roasted duck at a restaurant 10 years ago. I still
>eat at restaurants (go to the doctor) but I don't eat duck and I don't
>go to that restaurant (go to that particular doctor)! Most doctors are
>caring and competent, if not a bit rushed and stressed out. Perhaps
>your primary care doctor, a family member, or a friend in the medical
>field can direct you to a new gynecologist. Best of luck,
>
>I do not see this particular Dr. anymore as stated in my first post. And I agree that most Drs. are caring and competent THank you very much for your responce.Peggy
>--
>David Ashley Hill, MD
>Associate Director
>Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
>Florida Hospital Family Practice Residency
>http://home.mpinet.net/dahmd
>
>My apologies, but due to time constraints I am unable to answer private e-mails.
>
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