Patients undergoing a laparoscopic cholecystectomy often suffer long-lasting complications, including bile duct injury.
This article discusses the various long-term consequences associated with such injuries. It provides possible management strategies for these complications and why it is essential to consult a lawyer after the malpractice during the surgery.
1. Biliary strictures
This condition occurs when the bile duct is structured after the laparoscopic cholecystectomy. It is characterized by retrograde cholangitis and chronic elevation of the bile acid concentration in the serum.
Perforation
Patients with this complication often complain about discomfort in the right lower abdomen with acute or subacute bleeding. The prognosis for these cases is relatively poor, as these patients need long-term and multidisciplinary management.
2. Hepatic atrophy
This complication mainly occurs in young people and can be classified as an early or late disease, depending on its clinical presentation. It is characterized by chronic cholestasis and regression of liver function.
Chronic Cholestasis
This complication is detected when there is a change in the bile duct ultrasonography and serum bile acid concentration. The patients are often frail and feel tired, weak, or ill. They also have bright yellow discoloration on their skin.
3. Cholangitis
This severe complication develops after laparoscopic cholecystectomy with perforations of the gallbladder wall. The presence of these perforations leads to impairment of the bile flow and infection of the bile ducts.
Chronic Hepatitis
This disease is characterized by chronic cholestasis and liver dysfunction. The diagnosis is made when there are signs of elevated serum bile acids, an enlarged gallbladder, and diffuse infiltration on ultrasound scans.
4. Intra-hepatic lithiasis
Patients with this complication usually complain about pain in the right upper quadrant and fever. Other conditions complicate this problem, such as the development of a stone in the cystic duct or a choledochal cyst. Since stones in these areas obstruct the bile flow, making an early diagnosis and performing the proper treatment is essential.
Biliary Obstruction
This complication is detected when there are signs of jaundice, fever, or pain in the right upper quadrant. The diagnosis is made after an ultrasound examination.
Why Consult a Lawyer’s Office After a Bile Duct Injury After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy?
The complication of bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the most severe and life-threatening condition after the surgery.
The risk of this serious complication is directly related to the number of tiny perforations in the gallbladder that are caused during the surgery, which is why it is necessary to consult a lawyer to obtain adequate financial compensation for any troubles experienced by the patient and also to prevent any further complications from developing.
If a person has developed one or several of these conditions, he will require long-term treatment, which can be very costly.
Conclusion
You must consult a lawyer to obtain proper financial compensation if you have a family member who has suffered from a bile duct injury. The amount of money you will receive from a legal suit is directly related to the extent of injuries or complications your loved one developed.
Read Also: