Common Neurosurgical Mistakes That Could Lead to Medical Malpractice Claims
Neurosurgery is one of the most complex and high-risk fields in medicine. It involves operating on the brain, spine, and nervous system, which are some of the most delicate and critical structures in the human body. A single mistake can lead to severe consequences, including permanent disability, brain damage, or even death.
Despite advancements in medical technology and strict surgical protocols, errors still happen. Some of these mistakes are unavoidable complications, but others result from negligence, lack of preparation, or poor decision-making.
If you suspect that you or a loved one has been a victim of neurosurgical malpractice, do not waste any time in hiring a neurosurgeon malpractice attorney with extensive experience in handling complex medical malpractice cases.
Common Neurosurgical Mistakes That Are Grounds for Malpractice Claims
Any medical personnel that makes the following mistakes is liable to be sued for medical malpractice:
Operating on the Wrong Part of the Body
One of the worst mistakes a surgeon can make is operating on the wrong part of the brain, spine, or even the wrong side of the body. In extreme cases, they might perform the completely wrong procedure. These errors usually happen because of miscommunication, incorrect surgical markings, failure to double-check medical records, or time pressure in busy hospitals.
If a surgeon removes healthy brain tissue by mistake, the patient could suffer memory loss, motor function problems, or cognitive impairment. In spinal surgeries, if the wrong vertebra is operated on, the original issue remains while new complications arise.
Hospitals try to prevent these mistakes with strict safety measures like checklists and mandatory time-outs before surgery begins, but errors still occur. When they do, they almost always qualify as medical malpractice.
Poor Pre-Surgery Planning
A neurosurgeon must carefully plan every procedure using MRIs, CT scans, and other imaging tests. If they don’t analyze these images properly or misinterpret them, the results can be disastrous. Common mistakes include overlooking key structures like blood vessels or nerves, misdiagnosing the patient, or failing to consider risks from underlying medical conditions.
For example, if a surgeon miscalculates the location of a brain tumor, they might damage healthy brain tissue, causing permanent neurological problems. In spinal surgeries, if they don’t identify the right disc causing pain, they might operate on the wrong one, leaving the patient with the same or worse condition.
Medication Errors During Surgery
Anesthesia and other medications play a key role in neurosurgery, helping with pain control, sedation, and neurological function. But when the wrong medication is given, or the right one is given at the wrong dose, the results can be catastrophic. Common medication errors include giving too much anesthesia, administering the wrong drug, or failing to adjust doses based on the patient’s medical history.
For example, in brain surgery, a drug might be used to prevent swelling. If the wrong medication is given or the correct one is used in the wrong dose, it can increase pressure in the skull, leading to brain damage. Medication errors like these can cause serious injury or even death. Since they are often preventable, they are frequently considered medical malpractice.
Ignoring Post-Surgery Complications
Neurosurgery doesn’t end when the operation is over. Patients need close monitoring to catch complications like brain swelling, infections, or internal bleeding. If these issues aren’t detected and treated quickly, the consequences can be severe.
A patient recovering from brain surgery might show symptoms like severe headaches, vomiting, or confusion, which are all signs of internal bleeding. If the medical team fails to recognize these warning signs and take action, the results can be life-threatening.
Post-surgical monitoring is just as important as the procedure itself. When doctors and nurses fail to properly care for a patient after surgery, it can lead to devastating outcomes and of course, legal action.
