Woman Suffers Septic Shock Following Vaginal Hysterectomy

32304661 - nurse holding hand of woman having carcinoma

This case involves a middle-aged female patient with a history of cervical dysplasia who required a vaginal hysterectomy. Several days after the procedure, the patient presented to the hospital with abnormally low blood pressure. She was diagnosed with a postoperative hemorrhage but wasn’t seen by general surgery until 4 days later, in spite of persistent complaints of fatigue and abdominal pain. Her examination revealed acute abdomen and a subsequent CT demonstrated a fluid build up in her upper abdomen. The patient was diagnosed with perforation of the small intestine and within a few hours, she went into septic shock. An expert in gynecology with experience performing hysterectomies was sought to opine on the standard of care in this case.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

Expert Witness Response E-006718

I am a gynecologist and I treat cervical dysplasia routinely given that it is a very common condition. I am fellowship trained in minimally invasive surgery and have performed over 3,000 laparoscopic hysterectomies. My practice focuses on minimally invasive surgery/laparoscopy and I am also the assistant fellowship director for gynecologic minimally invasive surgery at my institution. I have lectured nationally and internationally on the subject of minimally invasive surgery. I am the editor-in-chief of an online journal for gynecologic laparoscopists. I have published extensively on the topic of laparoscopic surgery and written multiple book chapters as well. I am available to review records and comment on the appropriateness of the procedure and postoperative management.

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