Bladder Surgery

Medical Malpractice with the Baltimore Bladder Surgery Lawyer

Welcome to the Kopec Law Firm’s website page dedicated specifically to medical malpractice bladder surgery, including bladder medical conditions and surgical options. Here, we aim to provide you generally with comprehensive information about various bladder conditions, available surgical treatments, potential complications, and the availability of medical malpractice claims. If surgery has injured you, then you may need the Baltimore bladder surgery lawyer.

Anatomy and Function of the Bladder:

The bladder is a muscular sac-like organ in the lower abdomen responsible for storing urine produced by the kidneys. Understanding its anatomy and function is crucial when considering bladder surgery and potential complications. The bladder neck connects the bladder to the urethra, a tube that carries urine out of the body. Sphincter muscles at the bladder neck and urethra control urination. Nerves in the bladder wall signal the brain when it’s time to urinate.

Bladder Medical Conditions:

The bladder is a vital organ responsible for storing and releasing urine. Several medical conditions specifically can affect the bladder, including:

1. Urinary Incontinence: This condition involves the involuntary leakage of urine. Weakened pelvic muscles, nerve damage, or other underlying factors can cause this condition.
2. Bladder Stones: These are hard mineral deposits that form in the bladder, leading to discomfort, frequent urination, and blood in the urine.
3. Bladder Cancer: A type of cancer that develops in the bladder lining, often causing symptoms like blood in the urine, frequent urination, and pain during urination.
4. Bladder Prolapse: This occurs when the bladder drops or protrudes into the vagina, causing discomfort, urinary issues, and a feeling of pressure in the pelvic area.

Symptoms That May Warrant Bladder Surgery:

Symptoms can vary depending on the underlying condition. Generally, here are some common ones:

• Blood in the urine (hematuria)
• Frequent urination (urinary frequency)
• Urgent urination (urgency)
• Difficulty urinating (dysuria)
• Pelvic pain
• Urinary incontinence

Doctors Who Perform Bladder Surgery:

Urologists are surgeons specializing in the urinary tract, including the bladder. Depending on the surgery, other specialists like gynecologists (for women) or colorectal surgeons (for intestinal reconstruction) may be involved.

Surgical Options and How They Are Performed:

In some cases, doctors may recommend surgical intervention to treat bladder conditions that do not respond to conservative treatments. The following are common surgical options. The specific technique depends on the surgery. Here’s a general overview:

• Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor (TURBT): Performed under general or spinal anesthesia, this minimally invasive procedure removes bladder tumors or abnormal tissue with an electric current using a resectoscope, a thin, lighted instrument inserted through the urethra to visualize the area. It’s commonly used for early-stage bladder cancer.
• Cystectomy: This surgery removes part (partial cystectomy) or all (radical cystectomy) of the bladder, typically for advanced bladder cancer or other severe bladder conditions. In a radical cystectomy, the doctor may remove surrounding tissues like the prostate in men or the uterus in women. Performed under general anesthesia, an incision is made in the lower abdomen to access the bladder. The doctor removes the bladder and also surrounding tissues (if necessary). Urinary diversion is then created. Moreover, sometimes a new bladder is created.
• Urinary Diversion: After cystectomy, the doctor needs to create a new way for urine to be stored and eliminated. Options include:
  • Neobladder: A section of intestine is fashioned into a pouch that functions like a bladder and also connects to the urethra for urination.
  • Ileal conduit: A piece of intestine diverts urine through a piece of intestine to an external collection bag worn on the abdomen.
  • Urostomy: Urine exits through a hole (stoma) in the abdomen, collected in an external bag.
• Augmentation Cystoplasty: An abdominal incision allows access to the bladder, which is then patched with intestinal tissue for increased capacity. This surgery enlarges a bladder with limited capacity. It’s used for conditions like interstitial cystitis (painful bladder syndrome), small bladder, or neurogenic bladder.

Additional Procedures

• Sling Procedures: A minimally invasive procedure using laparoscopy or a vaginal approach. The doctor inserts mesh or body tissue to create a sling supporting the urethra. This is to treat stress urinary incontinence, where urine leaks during coughing or exercise.
• Retropubic Suspension: Laparoscopic surgery utilizes small abdominal incisions to insert instruments and sutures to lift the bladder to its original position, treating stress incontinence.

Prognosis:

Prognosis varies depending on the underlying condition and the type of surgery. Early-stage cancer treated with TURBT often has a good prognosis. Recovery from bladder surgery typically takes several weeks. However, if surgery has injured you, then you may need the Baltimore bladder surgery lawyer at the Kopec Law Firm.

Complications of Bladder Surgery: You May Need the Baltimore Bladder Surgery Lawyer

Complications with these surgeries can occur. Some potential ones include:

• Infection: Surgical procedures involving the bladder carry a risk of developing urinary tract infections or other post-operative infections.
• Bleeding: Some surgeries may result in bleeding, which can range from minor to severe and may require additional medical intervention.
• Urinary Retention: After surgery, some individuals may experience difficulty emptying their bladder completely, requiring temporary or permanent catheterization.
• Bladder Injury: Surgical procedures may cause damage to the bladder or surrounding structures.
• Damage to nearby organs
• Urinary incontinence
• Leakage from the neobladder or stoma (urinary diversion)
• Erectile dysfunction (in men)
• Vaginal shortening (in women)

Treatments for Complications:

Treatment for complications depends on the specific issue. Specifically, it may involve antibiotics for infection, medications for pain, surgery to correct leakage, or physical therapy for incontinence.

Medical Malpractice Claims in Bladder Surgery & the Need for the Baltimore Bladder Surgery Lawyer

If you experience complications following bladder surgery that you believe stem from a medical professional’s negligence, then you may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim. To prove malpractice, you’ll need to demonstrate the following:

• Doctor-Patient Relationship: A doctor-patient relationship existed, and you were also under the care of the medical professional who performed the surgery.
• Standard of Care: The medical professional deviated from the accepted standard of care for your specific condition and surgery. This involves expert testimony establishing what a competent urologist would have done under similar circumstances.
• Breach of Duty: The doctor’s negligent actions (or failure to act) breached their duty to provide you with a reasonable standard of care.
• Causation: The doctor’s breach of duty then directly caused your injuries or worsened a pre-existing condition.
• Damages: You suffered damages due to the doctor’s negligence, such as medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering.

Examples of Medical Malpractice in Bladder Surgery:

Here specifically are some situations where you may consider a medical malpractice claim:

• Surgical Errors: Operating on the wrong organ, leaving surgical instruments behind, or causing unnecessary damage to surrounding tissues during surgery.
• Failure to diagnose or Misdiagnosis of cancer: Missing a cancerous tumor during a TURBT or other diagnostic procedures.
• Improper post-surgical care: Not adequately monitoring for infection or failing to address complications promptly.
• Medication errors: Prescribing the wrong medication or dosage, leading to adverse effects.
• Informed consent: Not adequately explaining the risks, benefits, and alternatives to the surgery before obtaining your informed consent.

What to Do if You Believe You Have a Case:

If you suspect medical malpractice after bladder surgery, then it’s crucial to consult with a medical malpractice attorney experienced in urology cases. We can review your medical records, consult with medical experts, and also advise you on the legal options available.

Next Step: Call the Baltimore Bladder Surgery Lawyer

Bladder surgery can be a lifesaving procedure or improve quality of life for many patients. However, complications can occur, and sometimes these complications are due to medical negligence. If you have suffered due to a doctor’s error, we can help you understand your rights and seek compensation for your damages.

Visit the free consultation page or video. Then contact the Kopec Law Firm at 800-604-0704 to speak directly with Attorney Mark Kopec. He is a top-rated Baltimore medical malpractice lawyer. The Kopec Law Firm is in Baltimore and pursues cases throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C.