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Subject Area

Family Medicine

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to analyze malpractice claims following tonsillectomy in Egypt in the period 2010–2015, including the risk of liabilities (surgical complications), adverse events, and plaintiff (patient) and definitive (doctor) characteristics. Background Analyzing malpractice litigation trends following tonsillectomy will help in improving physician awareness and preventing future litigation. Patients and method The data were collected from archived reports in Egypt's Forensic Medical Authority and from Egyptian doctor's syndicate. Data analysis of malpractice cases after tonsillectomy operations in Egypt (2010–2015) was performed. The authors analyzed the different criteria of the alleged physicians, practicing places, patients' criteria, and the type of complications. Results Post-tonsillectomy malpractice claims were 26/90 (29%) from the total otorhinolaryngology claims: surgical complications (24 patients) and noncomplication causes (two patients). Specialists with experience of less than 10 years (P = 0.001) and working in private sectors (P = 0.001) were mostly responsible for more litigation. The mortality liabilities, 13 (62.5%) claims, were much higher than morbidity liabilities (37.5%). Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage represented a considerable section of mortality and morbidity malpractice claims (45%). The other causes of mortality liabilities were the airway-related anesthetic problems in three (12.5%) patients and intraoperative medication reactions in two (8.3%) patients. Conclusion Tonsillectomy is a common procedure that carries a relatively large risk from a medicolegal standpoint. Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage had the highest mortality and morbidity fates and malpractice claims. The junior otolaryngologist specialists with low experience should be cautious in all aspects of tonsillectomy patient care to avoid litigations.

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