Polyps are fleshy growths that can develop in the uterus, colon, or stomach. Doctors often recommend removing polyps—through a procedure known as a polypectomy—either to alleviate symptoms or to biopsy the tissue and rule out cancer. Common symptoms leading to removal include abnormal bleeding (such as excessive uterine bleeding) and localized pain.
What Happens During a Polypectomy?
Polypectomy is generally considered a safe and noninvasive procedure. It is often performed alongside other diagnostic procedures such as:
- A colonoscopy, for removing colon polyps
- Dilation and curettage (D&C), for uterine polyps
During the procedure, your doctor uses a scope—such as a colonoscope or hysteroscope—to visualize and access the polyps. Tools like forceps are passed through the scope to snare and remove the growths. However, in some cases, particularly with uterine polyps, a doctor may attempt to remove them “blind,” meaning without direct visual guidance from the scope.
Larger or more complex polyps may require more invasive techniques, including abdominal incisions.
How Can Medical Negligence Occur During Polyp Removal?
While polypectomy is typically low-risk, surgical errors can occur if proper standards aren’t followed. One common form of negligence involves attempting blind removal of uterine polyps despite having difficulty visualizing the cervix. This becomes especially serious if repeated blind attempts follow a failed removal.
Blind removal can lead to devastating injuries if a physician mistakenly removes the wrong anatomical structure, such as the ureter or ovary, instead of the polyp. Even when blind removal is attempted, the physician should use prior visual confirmation from the scope to guide placement. If they remove something far from the known polyp location, this could indicate negligence.
📌 Related Practice Area: Medical Malpractice Lawyers
Failing to Recognize What’s Being Removed
Your doctor should also recognize whether they are removing a polyp or a more critical structure. Polyps are small, soft, and attached at only one base point. They typically do not require significant force to remove. If a structure resists removal or requires significant force, this should alert the physician that they may be pulling on something else—potentially causing life-altering damage.
Perforation Injuries During Polypectomy
Another risk involves perforation injuries, particularly during colon polyp removal. A missed colon perforation can lead to serious complications if not addressed immediately. If your doctor fails to identify and treat the injury during or after the procedure, you may face infection, sepsis, and even death—when timely treatment could have prevented complications.
Proving Harm and Causation in Surgical Injury Claims
In any surgical malpractice case, you must prove two things:
- Your doctor deviated from the accepted standard of care (negligence).
- That negligence directly caused harm to you.
For example, if a doctor mistakenly removed part of your anatomy during polyp removal, your legal team would need to show how the loss of that organ has long-term medical consequences—such as hormonal changes, infertility, or the need for additional surgeries and treatment.
📌 Related Practice Area: Personal Injury Claims
How a Medical Malpractice Attorney Can Help
Your attorney will begin by gathering your medical records and consulting with qualified experts to determine:
- Whether your outcome was an accepted complication or avoidable negligence
- What harm can be directly tied to the error during surgery
- The impact of the injury on your quality of life and future care needs
This expert review is essential to building a strong and successful malpractice claim.
Contact a Polyp Removal Surgery Injury Attorney
The Thistle Law Firm has experience representing individuals who suffered injuries due to negligence during polyp removal procedures. If you or a loved one was harmed during a polypectomy, we are here to help. Call us today at 215-568-6800 for a free consultation to discuss your case and legal options.