menu

Scales of Justice

Reputation for Excellence

Actual Examples of Hospitals Leaving Objects in Patients

Request Consultation / 856-317-6558
categories
Rating Methodology

Actual Examples of Hospitals Leaving Objects in Patients

Objects left behind in a patient after surgery, or “retained surgical items” as they are called in the medical industry, should not be an issue with the high standards and advanced technology available today. However, thousands of patients have objects left behind in their bodies every year, with the surgical sponge being the most common.

Surgical Sponge

A Kentucky nurse discovered a surgical sponge in her abdomen four years after undergoing a hysterectomy. The sponge had become attached to her bladder, stomach, and intestinal walls. The area became infected and a large segment of her intestine had to be removed. She continues to suffer with severe bowel issues, and unable to work or even leave the house on most days, she suffers with depression and anxiety.

Another Surgical Sponge

An Air Force Major underwent a cesarean section, an operation that should be routine. She was discharged from the hospital and went home, only to begin experiencing abdominal symptoms. Over the course of six weeks, her stomach grew to the size of a pregnant one and her bowels had shut down. The cause was determined to be a surgical sponge left behind that subsequently became entangled in her intestines and then became infected. The surgery to remove the sponge left her hospitalized for three weeks.

Two Foot Long Wire

A travel agent from Pennsylvania had a two foot long guide wire left behind after heart surgery. The wire was discovered six weeks after the initial procedure when it showed up on an x-ray. He had an additional seven days in the hospital following the removal of the wire, which had also caused a blood clot in his leg near the insertion point of the wire requiring him to remain on blood thinning medications for six months.

Two Surgical Clamps

A 59-year-old man had two surgical clamps left behind after surgery. The patient received intestinal surgery in 2000 and both clamps were left behind at the time of surgery. One clamp was found about 8 months after the operation and removed. The second was found later by doctors in a different hospital. The patient suffered from severe pain, multiple abscesses and septic shock which all led him to have a stroke.

13-inch Retractor

A Seattle building maintenance technician underwent a complicated surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his stomach. A 13-inch retractor was left behind . Following the initial surgery, the patient complained of pain that was almost unbearable and was reassured by doctors that pain is a normal part of recovery. He suffered from digestive issues, and pain as the instrument poked him. It wasn’t discovered until almost two months after the surgery, after being ignored at a 30-day checkup with the surgeon.

How Does This Happen?

According to an article in the New York Times, the problem lies in the method used to prevent anything being left behind in a patient. Most operating rooms have a nurse designated to making sure everything is accounted for before the patient is closed. The busy nature of an operating room leads to the occasional miscount, and this can lead to objects being left behind in patients. New technologies have been developed to make it easier to count and ensure that all materials used during an operation are accounted for, but not many hospitals are using the new technologies, most citing expense as the primary reason.

standing around table

Sharon Smith

Mike Berger and staff were professional, pleasant, strategic and knowledgeable. The office always kept me informed about my case and moved the case along quicker than I expected. I would highly recommend them to anyone !!

Kathryn N.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Reliable, honest, driven, knowledgeable, compassionate, and highly respected among colleagues and medical professionals [...] fought for me during times when I wasn’t strong enough to fight for myself. The Andres, Berger & Tran law firm understands Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) [...] thank you for your support and guidance over the years.

Mike V.

Mike Berger of Andres, Berger & Tran handled my case over a six year period. He and the team examined every detail to get the best outcome. They were honest, candid and communicative throughout the whole process. It was a long ordeal but could not have been handled more professionally. I highly recommend.

Yadira R.

I just want to say thank you for what you have done for me and my family throughout the years. You made us feel like family, not just clients. You were always very detailed when it came to our cases and tried everything in your power to get us all the help we needed.

Gregory W.

Our family appreciated your unfailing attention to detail. There were last minute snags, we seldom worried that something would fall through the cracks, but you anticipated every contingency. Your firm demonstrated a veracity for the truth, a strong work ethic and overall impeccable character in dealing with our case.

01 / 05

Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

case results

View All Case Results

$10million

Settlement/

Gas Explosion

$9.5million

Settlement/

Baby Brain Injury

$9.25million

Settlement/

Anesthesia Malpractice

$7.8million

Settlement/

Anesthesia Malpractice

$7.4million

Settlement/

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

$7million

Settlement/

Anesthesia Malpractice

Areas We Serve

  • Burlington County
  • Bass River
  • Beverly
  • Bordentown City
  • Bordentown Township
  • Burlington City
  • Burlington Township
  • Chesterfield
  • Cinnaminson
  • Delanco
  • Delran
  • Eastampton
  • Edgewater Park
  • Evesham
  • Fieldsboro
  • Florence
  • Hainesport
  • Lumberton
  • Mansfield
  • Maple Shade
  • Medford Lakes
  • Medford Township
  • Moorestown
  • Mount Holly
  • Mount Laurel
  • New Hanover
  • North Hanover
  • Palmyra
  • Pemberton Borough
  • Pemberton Township
  • Riverside
  • Riverton
  • Shamong
  • Southampton
  • Springfield
  • Tabernacle
  • Washington Township
  • Camden County
  • Ashland
  • Audubon
  • Audubon Park
  • Barclay CDP
  • Barrington
  • Bellmawr
  • Berlin
  • Blackwood
  • Brookfield
  • Brooklawn
  • Camden
  • Cherry Hill
  • Chesilhurst
  • Clementon
  • Collingswood
  • Echelon
  • Ellisburg
  • Gibbsboro
  • Glendora
  • Gloucester City
  • Golden Triangle
  • Greentree
  • Haddon Heights
  • Haddonfield
  • Hi-Nella
  • Kingston Estates
  • Laurel Springs
  • Lawnside
  • Lindenwold
  • Magnolia
  • Merchantville
  • Oaklyn
  • Pine Hill
  • Pine Valley
  • Runnemede
  • Somerdale
  • Springdale
  • Stratford
  • Tavistock
  • Wood-Lynne
  • Cape May County
  • Avalon
  • Cape May Point
  • Cape May
  • Dennis Township
  • Lower Township
  • Middle Township
  • North Wildwood
  • Ocean City
  • Sea Isle City
  • Stone Harbor
  • Upper Township
  • West Cape May
  • West Wildwood
  • Wildwood Crest
  • Wildwood
  • Woodbine
  • Cumberland County
  • Bridgeton
  • Cedarville
  • Fairton
  • Laurel Lake
  • Millville
  • Port Norris
  • Rosenhayn
  • Seabrook Farms
  • Shiloh
  • Vineland
  • Gloucester County
  • Beckett
  • Clayton
  • Gibbstown
  • Glassboro
  • Mullica Hill
  • National Park
  • Newfield
  • Oak Valley
  • Paulsboro
  • Pitman
  • Richwood
  • Swedesboro
  • Turnersville
  • Victory Lakes
  • Wenonah
  • Westville
  • Williamstown
  • Woodbury
  • Woodbury Heights
  • Mercer County
  • Groveville
  • Hamilton Square
  • Hightstown
  • Hopewell
  • Lawrenceville
  • Mercerville
  • Pennington
  • Princeton
  • Princeton Junction
  • Robbinsville
  • Trenton
  • Twin Rivers
  • White Horse
  • Yardville
  • Ocean County
  • Barnegat
  • Barnegat Light
  • Bay Head
  • Beach Haven
  • Beach Haven West
  • Beachwood
  • Cedar Glen Lakes
  • Cedar Glen West
  • Crestwood Village
  • Dover Beaches North
  • Dover Beaches South
  • Forked River
  • Harvey Cedars
  • Holiday City South CDP
  • Holiday City-Berkeley CDP
  • Holiday Heights
  • Island Heights
  • Lakehurst
  • Lakewood
  • Lavallette
  • Leisure Knoll
  • Leisure Village
  • Leisure Village East
  • Leisure Village West
  • Manahawkin
  • Mantoloking
  • Mystic Island
  • New Egypt
  • North Beach Haven
  • Ocean Acres
  • Ocean Gate
  • Pine Beach
  • Pine Lake Park
  • Pine Ridge at Crestwood
  • Point Pleasant Beach
  • Point Pleasant
  • Seaside Heights
  • Seaside Park
  • Ship Bottom
  • Silver Ridge
  • South Toms River
  • Surf City
  • Toms River
  • Tuckerton
  • Vista Center
  • Waretown
  • Salem County
  • Alloway
  • Carneys Point
  • Elmer
  • Hancocks Bridge
  • Olivet
  • Pedricktown
  • Penns Grove
  • Pennsville
  • Quinton
  • Salem
  • Woodstown
  • Philadelphia
  • Bella Vista
  • Callowhill
  • Chinatown
  • East Passyunk
  • Fairmount
  • Fishtown
  • Graduate Hospital
  • Logan Square
  • Market East
  • Midtown Village
  • Northern Liberties
  • Old City
  • Pennsport
  • Powelton Village
  • Queen Village
  • Rittenhouse Square
  • Society Hill
  • Spring Garden
  • Spruce Hill and Cedar Park
  • University City
  • Washington Square West
  • Bucks County
  • Bristol
  • Brittany Farms - The Highlands CDP
  • Chalfont
  • Churchville
  • Cornwells Heights
  • Croydon
  • Doylestown
  • Dublin
  • Eddington
  • Fairless Hills
  • Feasterville
  • Hulmeville
  • Ivyland
  • Langhorne
  • Langhorne Manor
  • Levittown
  • Milford Square
  • Morrisville
  • New Britain
  • New Hope
  • Newtown
  • Newtown Grant
  • Penndel
  • Perkasie
  • Plumsteadville
  • Quakertown
  • Richboro
  • Richlandtown
  • Riegelsville
  • Sellersville
  • Silverdale
  • Spinnerstown
  • Trevose
  • Trumbauersville
  • Tullytown
  • Village Shires
  • Warminster Heights
  • Woodbourne
  • Woodside
  • Yardley
  • Montgomery County
  • Ambler
  • Arcadia University CDP
  • Ardmore
  • Audubon
  • Blue Bell
  • Bridgeport
  • Bryn Athyn
  • Bryn Mawr
  • Collegeville
  • Conshohocken
  • Eagleville
  • East Greenville
  • Evansburg
  • Flourtown
  • Fort Washington
  • Gilbertsville
  • Glenside
  • Green Lane
  • Halfway House
  • Harleysville
  • Hatboro
  • Hatfield
  • Haverford College CDP
  • Horsham
  • Jenkintown
  • King of Prussia
  • Kulpsville
  • Lansdale
  • Maple Glen
  • Montgomeryville
  • Narberth
  • Norristown
  • North Wales
  • Oreland
  • Penn Wynne
  • Pennsburg
  • Plymouth Meeting
  • Pottsgrove
  • Pottstown
  • Red Hill
  • Rockledge
  • Royersford
  • Sanatoga
  • Schwenksville
  • Skippack
  • Souderton
  • Spring House
  • Spring Mount
  • Stowe
  • Telford
  • Trappe
  • Trooper
  • West Conshohocken
  • Willow Grove
  • Woxall
  • Wyncote
  • Wyndmoor
Firm Award
Firm Award
Firm Award
Firm Award
Firm Award
Firm Award
Firm Award
Firm Award
Firm Award
Firm Award
View Rating Methodology

No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey