General Surgeon Fails To Properly Diagnose Perforated Appendix

This case takes place in Iowa and involves complications following gallbladder surgery. The patient is a female who presented to the ER on with complaints of abdominal pain, which she stated was worse on one side than the other and had persisted for some time. The patient also reported several other gastrointestinal symptoms.  She was sent for a sonogram, which was preliminary read as gallstones with probable inflammation. Later, the patient underwent a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. No gallstones were identified and no filling defect, obstruction or common bile duct dilation was noted. The patient was sent to recovery in stable condition and discharged. The patient returned a few days later with ongoing abdominal pain. A CT scan revealed a perforated appendix with acute appendicitis, as well as a small abscess with fluid. The patient was then admitted for emergency surgery to remove the appendix and prevent further injury.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

Expert Witness Response E-001161

As a general surgeon, I take care of patients with cholecystitis and appendicitis on a frequent basis.  It’s surprising to me that the clinical team can mistake one diagnosis for another when there are so many preoperative diagnostics to help determine the cause of abdominal pain (LFT’s, CT scan, etc.). I have never had a patient develop this outcome and I have been an expert witness pertaining to a complication from gallbladder surgery.

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