Back to Search
Start Over
Claims in total hip arthroplasty: analysis of the instigating factors, costs and possible solution
- Source :
- Musculoskeletal surgery. 104(1)
- Publication Year :
- 2018
-
Abstract
- Over the years, the number of total hip replacements has been steadily increasing. Despite the improvement in surgical results, the number of claims for malpractice is higher. The primary endpoint of this work is to provide an analysis of litigation after hip replacement, to outline what are the instigating causes and costs. The secondary endpoint is to propose a possible preventive strategy for an improved care and a reduction in legal proceedings. The data of this study were collected from medical and legal files and from professional liability insurance of our institution from January 2005 to December 2016. Out of a total of 4770 THA, 40 claims were received. Peripheral nerve injuries represent the first cause of litigation (37%), followed by infectious complications, leg length discrepancy, metallosis, dislocations of the implant and a case of deep vein thrombosis. From the analysis of the past trial judgment, complications such as nerve lesions and infections are almost always recognized, as a medical error, with a high percentage of claims settled. This study shows the necessity of preventive strategies to reduce the higher number of claims for malpractice in total hip arthroplasty. Some complications such as nerve injuries and infection are frequently considered directly dependent on physician’s errors. Litigations can be reduced providing evidence of a diligent execution of the surgical procedure and of a proper postoperative management: the correct compilation of a specific informed consent and adequate doctor–patient communication.
- Subjects :
- medicine.medical_specialty
Hip arthroplasty Claim Litigation Complication Costs
Deep vein
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
Postoperative Complications
Informed consent
Hip replacement
Malpractice
Clinical endpoint
medicine
Metallosis
Humans
Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Retrospective Studies
030222 orthopedics
business.industry
General surgery
030229 sport sciences
medicine.disease
Surgery
medicine.anatomical_structure
Orthopedic surgery
Costs and Cost Analysis
business
Professional liability insurance
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 20355114
- Volume :
- 104
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Musculoskeletal surgery
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....7d1d9570201c474f7b3902c54bc68854