Systematic Survey of Post-ERCP Procedures Reveals Complications Leading to Pancreatitis Remain Relatively High
According to one study, roughly 7% of all ERCP procedures result in complications, and roughly one of four of those cases involves severe complications. These complications can lead to severe pancreatitis that can be lethal if not properly treated.
Being male and elderly are factors more likely to result in a death following the procedure. Another study in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy found the complication rate was notably higher. In particular, there was a high rate of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP).
According to the study, “the PEP incidence was 9.7% and the mortality rate was 0.7%. Severity of PEP was reported for 8857 patients: 5.7%, 2.6%, and 0.5% of cases were mild, moderate, and severe, respectively.” In North America, the PEP complication rate was higher at 13%.
ERCP procedures began in 1968 at the George Washington University Medical Center. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, “Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a procedure to diagnose and treat problems in the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas.”
The procedure makes use of a long endoscope that is inserted through the mouth and throat before eventually making its way down the esophagus and stomach. It can help medical professionals gain a great deal of insight into a person’s organs and be used to check for problems.
Despite the utility of this procedure, incident rates and complications remain high. In serious cases, misuse of the endoscope can result in severe pancreatitis and death. There are many complications that could lead to pancreatitis.
- Patients may sustain mechanical trauma to the pancreatic duct.
- Pancreatitis could result from thermal injuries from misuse of the endoscopic sphincterotomy.
- Chemical agents from the contrast dye can irritate pancreatic cells.
- Bacteria from the endoscope could be introduced into the pancreatic or biliary system.
Patients may also die from internal bleeding or septic shock if injuries are not treated quickly and properly.
There are a number of signs that a person is experiencing complications. This could include abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. The incident rate for complications involving ERCP procedures has remained quite stable over time.
Liability for Injuries Involving ERCP Procedures
Many people are injured or killed during medical treatments every year in the United States. According to one study in the National Institutes of Health, “at least 44,000 and perhaps as many as 98,000 Americans die in hospitals each year as a result of medical errors.” Hospitals should take a number of steps in order to avoid instances of medical malpractice during ERCP procedures.
- Hospitals should implement strict hygiene and infection control measures before any ERCP procedure.
- Hospitals should ensure that all of their medical staff are well trained.
- Hospitals should ensure that they have an adequate staff-to-patient ratio.
- Hospitals should clearly explain the risks associated with ERCP procedures to patients.
Given the risky nature of ERCP procedures, hospitals must exercise a great deal of care in order to avoid harm. When a doctor or hospital deviates from an acceptable standard of care and this causes injury to a patient, this could form the basis of a medical malpractice claim. There are many ways that a doctor could harm their patient during an ERCP procedure by failing to follow accepted standards.
- A doctor may fail to inform patients about the risks associated with the procedure and available alternatives.
- A doctor may have failed to perform a proper patient evaluation.
- A doctor may have lacked the adequate skill or training necessary to perform the procedure.
- A doctor may have used excessive force with the endoscope.
- A doctor may have misused the contrast dye and caused an allergic reaction.
Given the nature of the ERCP procedure, victims harmed by the procedure often sustained very serious injuries. It can be hard to know where to begin if you’ve been injured in a medical setting. People are often very frustrated because they assumed that their doctor was going to help them, and now they’re in a worse situation. Victims of medical malpractice do have legal options. Any person injured during an ERCP procedure may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a medical malpractice claim.
Getting Legal Help After Severe Injury or Death Following an ERCP Procedure
We at GLK Law were very concerned to hear about the high injury rate involving ERCP procedures. Endoscopes are an incredibly important tool for doctors and hospitals to use. But they must be used with a great deal of care given their propensity to seriously injure patients. It is our sincere hope that hospitals will develop safer methods for these procedures.
Have you or a loved one suffered from pancreatitis or another injury after an ERCP procedure? You may be entitled to damages through a medical malpractice claim. Our team of New York medical malpractice attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We have actually helped patients with adverse outcomes from ERCP procedures. Whether you just have legal questions or are thinking about hiring an attorney, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (516) 908-9792.
