2014 Year in Review: Malpractice

Since its 2013 debut, Urology Times' "Malpractice Consult" column has been one of UT's most-read offerings, and 2014 was no exception to this. Here, we look at 2014's malpractice headlines, with commentary from Urology Times Editorial Council member John J. Mulcahy, MD, PhD.

Circumcision error leads to Peyronie’s disease

This installment of "Malpractice Consult" included discussion of a 59-year-old man who underwent circumcision. Afterward, the patient claimed the procedure was performed improperly and resulted in Peyronie’s disease, and he sued his urologist. The urologist contended the circumcision was properly performed and the patient’s curvature was due to a previously asymptomatic Peyronie’s condition.

Other cases discussed in the article include infection following prostate biopsy, complications following repair of penile pump malfunction, and overwhelming sepsis after diagnosis of renal stones.

Dr. MulcahyDr. Mulcahy: Many men are penile focused, and adverse results regarding surgery on the penis may engender thoughts of litigation. Circumcision by a competent urologist is usually a straightforward procedure with few serious post-operative problems. The way the foreskin is reattached could lead to some penile rotation issues, but the foreskin is so loose significant tethering of the erection is very unlikely.

The progressive curvature of the erection developing in this case, which generated great interest from the readership of Urology Times, was likely due to progression of the original Peyronie’s disease, the cause of which is often unexplained. I’d be interested in reading the testimony of the plaintiff’s expert.

Other "Malpractice Consult" articles from 2014:

Ureteral injury to blame for bladder cancer, death?

A 50-year-old woman underwent a nephro-ureterectomy in which her right ureter was injured. A year later, she was diagnosed with metastatic bladder cancer by another urologist. She died in 2012, after filing a lawsuit against her original urologist.

Ureter injured during colostomy reversal

In a lawsuit against a surgeon, the patient claimed that actions should have been taken to protect the ureter due to her prior surgeries, including placement of a stent prior to surgery by a urologist.

Next: Bowel perforation follows TCC surgery, leads to suit

More "Year in Review" articles

2014 Year in Review: Prostate Cancer

2014 Year in Review: Health Policy/Practice Management

Bowel perforation follows TCC surgery, leads to suit

An 80-year-old woman underwent a nephroureterectomy and developed an infection due to a perforated bowel, dying about 3 weeks after surgery. Was the urologist negligent?

Penile implant extrusion prompts litigation

Other cases discussed in this edition include legal actions over cecum perforation during prostatectomy, failure of injections to improve Peyronie's disease, and dementia diagnosis blamed on urologic procedure.

Missed follow-up leads to stage IV renal cancer, death

In a lawsuit, the patient’s estate alleged that physicians failed to inform the patient of an abnormality on CT scan.

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