Cosmetic Surgery Leads to Permanent Nerve Damage

ByJoseph O'Neill

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Updated onSeptember 28, 2017

Cosmetic Surgery Leads to Permanent Nerve Damage

This case takes place in Tennessee and involves a male patient who underwent an elective procedure performed by a plastic surgeon. Following the surgery, the patient began experiencing weakness, numbness and tingling in his right leg and hand. He continues to experience all these symptoms to date. It is believed that these symptoms are a result of ulnar nerve compression neuropathy caused by the misplacement of his right arm during surgery. As a result of the surgery, The patient also sustained herniation of the abdominal wall just above his navel. This herniation will require additional surgical intervention to repair. It is alleged that the treating plastic surgeon was negligent in his performance of the procedure.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

1. How often do you perform this procedure?

2. Can incorrect body positioning while under direct anesthesia cause ulnar nerve damage?

Expert Witness Response E-007960

inline imageI perform about 1-2 abdominoplasties per month and similar procedures called panniculectomies about 2-3 times per month. Nerve injury can be caused by positioning during surgery. If there is nursing documentation of some sort of issue or problem with that arm during the surgery then you may have a case. As for herniation, that is unfortunate. I would have to read the op-notes describing how the surgeon plicated to see if the did an adequate job. Now, if the abdominal wall itself has herniated, then that's a bigger issue and could be due to an unrecognized injury to the abdominal wall during the case.

About the author

Joseph O'Neill

Joseph O'Neill

Joe has extensive experience in online journalism and technical writing across a range of legal topics, including personal injury, meidcal malpractice, mass torts, consumer litigation, commercial litigation, and more. Joe spent close to six years working at Expert Institute, finishing up his role here as Director of Marketing. He has considerable knowledge across an array of legal topics pertaining to expert witnesses. Currently, Joe servces as Owner and Demand Generation Consultant at LightSail Consulting.

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