When any minimally invasive surgery such as Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy is successful, it can be a real blessing. When it is not, it can be a personal and family catastrophe. Our job is to help you sort out laparoscopic cholescystectomy malpractice from unpreventable problems.

Because laparoscopic surgery is done using a television camera and instruments, some surgeons find it difficult to orient themselves to the gall bladder and other organs. This can lead to cutting or damaging the common bile duct or hepatic ducts. Cutting or damaging these important structures can lead to bile leak, infection, bile peritonitis, abscess and death. In addition, the common bile duct may become so narrowed that extensive dilatation or reconstructive surgery is needed. Some patients are left with permanent pain and serious digestive problems.

Leaking of bile usually causes symptoms of pain and breathing difficulties, and any symptoms that might be due to a bile leak must be taken seriously by the surgeon and investigated. The failure by the health care providers to take the patients complaints seriously, and quickly act, is a prime example of malpractice. All too often the patient is discharged from the hospital despite evidence of a bile leak.

It is crucial that the surgeon take the time to educate patient and family on the symptoms of postoperative bile leak together with the need to immediately call the surgeon or return to the hospital if symptoms appear. Never hesitate to return to the emergency room if the surgeon is not taking the complaints seriously, or you can't get in touch with him/her. The presence of a leak can often be confirmed by common x-ray imaging studies.

When a bile leak is occurring, time is of the essence so that irreversible bile peritonitis and infection leading to organ failure and perhaps death does not occur. Repair of bile duct injuries or strictures(narrowing) may require a very experienced surgeon-make sure your doctor refers you to such a surgeon if there is any doubt of his competence to help you.