Cirugía en sitio erróneo en cirugía ortopédica y traumatologíaestudio de sentencias judiciales y reclamaciones

Abstract

Aims: To know the factors associated to wrong-site surgery in Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology in our environment and its legal consequences. Material and method: We have found 25 cases of wrong site surgery from the study of judicial rulings and health related complaints from the year 1998 onwards. Data regarding affiliation, type of error, procedure, surgeon�s attitude and sequels were obtained. Results: 60% were wrong-side errors, 52% involved the knee, 40% were arthroscopies. The surgical team had prepared the patient before the surgeon entered the operation room in 58% of the cases and in 78% the surgeon had not checked the patient`s medical files. There were few sequels. A site verification protocol had not been used in any of the cases. The use of a protocol could have avoided the complication in 90% of the cases. Conclusions: We recommend the use of a site verification protocol and the surgeon to be actively involved in the preparation and positioning of the patient