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LAPAROSCOPIC HERNIORRHAPHY
As with Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (Medical Litigation News Volume 2, Issue 1), complications of Endoscopic groin Hernia repair are significantly more common during the learning-curve of the first 25 cases[1]. To realise the potential shortening of recovery time[2], some surgeons undertook their first unsupervised operations before they were adequately trained.
Most of the complications continue to occur after sufficient experience, but with lesser frequency. In a given case, therefore, the occurence of complications does not of itself indicate substandard technique.
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POINT Consider Examination for Discovery of the defendant surgeon to establish training and experience before obtaining expert opinion on standard of care |
In contrast with Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy, anatomy is initially unfamiliar because the approach is radically different from the conventional operation[1]. The commonest complication of thigh numbness due to inadvertent stapling of the Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve[3], [4] results directly from this inexperience.
Trochar injury to the Inferior Epigastric Artery[5] is common to other forms of lower abdominal laparoscopy and need not have serious consequences if it is promptly recognised and adequately treated. Complications are otherwise little different from those of the conventional operation.
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PRACTICE POINT
In contrast with Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy, quantum of damages is rarely substantial for complications of Laparoscopic Herniorrhaphy
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