Brain and micro-surgery /Arnold / Zoe / Kathy B.

[Guest guest]

Arnold,

a case history came to my knowledge that is extraordinarily tragic. I got to

know the patient herself, and she told me the story. So no second hand gossip.

During her micro surgery on the cerebellum, the surgeon made a mistake, the

instrument ( fine needle ) broke, and a piece of it got stuck in the

cerebellum. It is still there, to remove it would enlarge the damage.

The outcome of the surgery was devastating to her: her condition has worsened

since, she is disabled to a degree she cannot do her daily chores any more,

driving ability is gone, she can walk, but only with a walker, has to take

medication and this - combined with the other causes - has given her the problem

of extreme overweight.

She filed against the surgeon re malpractice.

At court she was granted nothing, although the surgeon frankly admitted at

court that he had made a mistake.

The woman judge literally said: " These things happen. If I judge him guilty,

No doctor would Ever have the opportunity to do Anything Any more. " (case of

precedence)

To the fact, that the patient was in a disabled condition caused by this

surgery, and that she needed help for her every day life (that costs an awful

lot

of money here, which was also an issue of her filing!) the woman judge had

nothing but the scathing remark: " You have children, they can look after you. "

Behind the scene the financial power of the insurance companies tried to

prevent a judgement unfavorable to the surgeon, because they would have been the

ones to pay the bill.

The patient's lawyer was so upset he went to the state's prosecutor and filed

against this woman judge.

When the patient asked her insurance company to help her finance the revision

of this trial, her own insurance company kicked her out, and would not pay

any costs for her lawyer any more.

The husband of this patient bluntly recommended her to commit suicide, as to

his opinion she was nothing but a waste now.

This is the case history and the extreme outcome for the social life of the

patient.

What is important for us:

Do surgeons, when they do the legal education to the patients, speak about

the possible risks of micro surgery, mention that it is possible the instrument

breaks and partly remains in the brain, with the consequence of worsening the

condition to the degree of disability?

Or is the whole thing hushed to the broader public?

So many jump on the bandwagon, with the argument " This is new, so it must be

an improved treatment. " , never knowing what is going on backstage.

I consent, if you might want to spread these news to the groups and people

who would benefit.

Best regards to all,

Katharina

[Guest guest]

I have so many opinions about surgery and the risks that we take to try and

become seizure free or what ever it maybe. It is tragic that the judge did not

rule in her favor as he blately admited his error. that is what malpractice is

for , to insure that these mistakes are not forgotten. I would have appealed.

Our son had surgery nearly four years ago and I would not trade the outcome

for anything but there were things they did not disclose. the facts that the

vibration of the drills can cause hearing loss and there are risks to visual

field loss. we did not have visual field loss but some hearing loss at high

tones. He is seizure free and we are thankful for that everyday but the

learning

struggles were difficult in the beginnning but things now over the past year

have trememndously improved. it has taken along time to recover what was lost in

that area and that is somehting that can not be forcasted by doctors . but

what they can do is suggest language therepy and neurorehab to help. i thik

these are things everyone can benefit from after surgery. I am so sorry for that

out come but the chose for us was simple. our son would probably have died as a

result of his seizures or the depression it caused. Now he has a life filled

with hope. todays surgeries are much different. they are not done with

traditional instruments but lasers , recovery rates are quicker and the cure

rates

have increased. I dont suggest it too everyone but know all the facts talk to

others that have had good results and bad and then look deep in your soul and

make a chose. remember we are not here to judge , just here to support and

educate each other with what ever decision we decide to make.