Claim for failure to advise on options available for removal of patient’s appendix

Our clinical negligence specialists acted on behalf of a patient in relation to a failure to inform him appropriately of the options for treating his appendicitis. Our client was only offered open surgery and his treating surgeon did not explain that he had the option for laparoscopic surgery (keyhole), which is far less invasive. Open surgery carries increased risks of wound infections, hernation and adhesions.

Sadly, our client developed problems with his wound post-operatively which required a number of corrective operations and he has been left with potentially permanent symptoms that severely impact on his day-to-day activities.  His claim was on the basis that, with appropriate advice, he would have had a keyhole procedure with an uneventful recovery and would have avoided all the subsequent complications.