Medico-legal considerations in a case of splenic injury that occurred during colonoscopy

Abstract Colonoscopy has became the gold standard diagnostic and therapeutic treatment for rectum and colon diseases. The splenic injury is a rare complication of colonoscopy and relatively few cases (less than 70) have been reported in the literature so far. Here we present a case of splenic ruptur...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of forensic and legal medicine 2012-05, Vol.19 (4), p.229-233
Main Authors: Zandonà, Chiara, MD, Turrina, Stefania, PhD, Pasin, Nicole, MD, De Leo, Domenico, MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged, 80 and over
Bowel disease
Colon
Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy - adverse effects
Compensation and Redress - legislation & jurisprudence
Complication
Hemoperitoneum - diagnostic imaging
Humans
Injuries
Italy
Legal medicine
Male
Malpractice - legislation & jurisprudence
Medical professional liability
Pathology
Radiography
Splenectomy
Splenic injury
Splenic Rupture - etiology
Splenic Rupture - surgery
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Summary:Abstract Colonoscopy has became the gold standard diagnostic and therapeutic treatment for rectum and colon diseases. The splenic injury is a rare complication of colonoscopy and relatively few cases (less than 70) have been reported in the literature so far. Here we present a case of splenic rupture identified in an 80 year-old man few hours after an apparently uneventful colonoscopy. Acknowledging a causal relationship between the lesion and the diagnostic procedures, we discuss the possible medico-legal implications with regard to professional liability considering the exceptional nature of such an event and the stance recently taken by the Italian law.
ISSN:1752-928X
1878-7487
DOI:10.1016/j.jflm.2011.12.035