Unintentionally Retained Surgical Objects
Written by Jay M. Kelley III in Accident & Injury, Medical Malpractice on August 23, 2022
When going into surgery, patients are putting their life in the hands of others. There is complete trust that the doctors operating will do everything they can to avoid a negative outcome. What happens when the surgical team makes a mistake?
What is a URFO?
An unintentionally retained foreign object (URFO) is a medical malpractice case where a surgeon leaves a surgical item in the body. While rare, occurring every 1 in 5,500 surgeries, it is still a cause for concern in any surgery. These mistakes are referred to as never events as they are preventable in every circumstance. The most common URFOs include:
- Soft Materials such as sponges, towelettes, gauze
- Clamps/forceps
- Tubes or scopes
- Needles, scalpels, scissors
Why is a URFO Considered Medical Malpractice?
A URFO is considered medical malpractice because it is a surgical mistake. The surgical items can contain bacteria and cause permanent or fatal damage to the body. Additionally, body tissue can begin growing around the object, embedding the tool in place.
Symptoms to Watch For:
After surgery, it is crucial to monitor your body and contact your doctor if you feel like something is wrong. Possible symptoms of a URFO include:
- Coughing or vomiting blood
- Pain and discomfort
- Difficulty urinating or passing bowel movements
- Bloody urination or bowel movements
- Fatigue
- Infection on surgery site
- Severe headaches
- Difficulty breathing and swallowing
- Overall decline in health
Contact us today if you or a loved one experienced a retained surgical item after a procedure. Call 1-800-ELK-OHIO for a free, no-obligation consultation or fill out our online form.
This website is not intended to provide medical advice. Patients should consult with a trained medical professional.
Jay M. Kelly III - Managing Partner
Meet Jay M. Kelley III, a top medical malpractice attorney in Ohio with over 25 years of experience and $200 million in verdicts and settlements. He leads Elk + Elk’s litigation strategy in state and federal courts and has a unique background as a former felony prosecutor and hospital defense lawyer. Jay specializes in complex cases, including birth injuries and wrongful death, and is recognized by Best Lawyers and ranked among the Super Lawyers Top 10 in Ohio.
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