Procedures in the abdominal region

1) Bleeding after surgery for inguinal hernia

The patient underwent a hernia repair surgery due to inguinal hernia. After the procedure, the patient developed a haematoma in the groin, causing more pain than expected and slowing down recovery.

The hernia repair surgery performed on the patient was medically justified and technically it was performed in an appropriate way. Even though the bleeding was stopped in the surgery, haematoma in the operated area is nevertheless possible. The procedure always involves the risk of haematoma in the operated area, and it cannot be always avoided in spite of appropriate treatment.

Because the procedure was indicated and it was performed appropriately and the consequence could not be avoided in spite of that, this was not a patient injury eligible for compensation.

2) Removal of colonic polyp and intestinal injury

A patient underwent colonoscopic removal of two deformities of the mucous membrane of the colon, or polyps. One polyp was removed by burning and the other one by curettage. The patient developed strong abdominal pain the same evening. A perforation was found in the intestine and corrected in an emergency operation. To repair the intestinal injury, the patient stayed in hospital for approximately a week.

The endoscopy of the mucous membrane and polyp resection performed on the patient were medically justified. Deformities of the mucous membrane in the colon are associated with the risk of a malignant tumour, and therefore the deformities should be checked and removed from time to time.

The intestinal injury emerged in connection with the resection of a polyp by curettage. The level of professional competence of a healthcare professional performing endoscopies and polyp resections was not reached in the technical performance of the procedure because the resected area had been too extensive. The effect of the procedure had also affected the wall of the intestine. The intestinal injury could have been avoided if the procedure had been correct.

The patient was compensated for personal injury caused by the intestinal operation.

3) Gallbladder removal and bile duct injury

A patient underwent gallbladder removal as an endoscopic operation to treat symptoms of gallstones. After the operation, the patient was in pain and was diagnosed with an injury to the bile duct. Bile leaked into the surgery site. The bile leak was successfully repaired with a tube inserted in the bile duct.

The cholecystectomy was a medically justified procedure. However, the level of professional competence for a healthcare professional performing a cholecystectomy was not achieved with regard to the technical performance of the operation. Had the operation been performed technically appropriately, the injury of the bile duct could have been avoided.

The patient was compensated for personal injury caused by the bile duct injury.