Misdiagnosis of Appendicitis
Medical diagnostic screening in the United States has improved greatly over the years, but mistakes still happen far more often than doctors would have you believe. One of the more common misdiagnoses that can lead to serious complications is an incorrect diagnosis of appendicitis. Appendectomies are some of the most common surgeries performed in the country, with over 7% of the population undergoing the process at some point in their lives. Shockingly, over 16% percent of the appendixes removed by these surgeries were never infected in the first place, and the symptoms described by patients were the result of another condition entirely.
If you were mistakenly diagnosed with appendicitis, or if your appendicitis was not properly diagnosed, you may be able to take legal action. Contact a Pennsylvania medical malpractice lawyer with Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C., today by calling 610-667-7511 to learn more about taking action following a medical mistake.
Rationale and Costs
While doctors recognize that misdiagnosis is a serious problem, most prefer to remove the appendix even if unsure of the cause when appendicitis is suspected. The complications and potential for a rupture associated with untreated appendicitis can be very serious. Unfortunately for patients, this can mean serious financial burdens and other problems from an unnecessary surgery. Consider the following:
- Roughly 40,000 people undergo an unnecessary appendectomy each year in the United States.
- The hospital costs associated with these surgeries top $700 million.
- No surgery is minor: patients may experience complications such as skin infections or pelvis problems following an appendectomy.
CT scans remain the most effective way of diagnosing appendicitis, but unfortunately, statistics prove that mistakes can be, and are, made regularly.
Contact Us
If you are dealing with serious medical expenses due to a doctor performing an unnecessary appendectomy, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. Contact a Pennsylvania medical malpractice attorney with Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C., today by calling 610-667-7511 to schedule an initial consultation.