Minor surgery is often considered routine, with minimal cuts and a quick recovery. However, sometimes things go wrong, leading to unexpected and tragic outcomes. While death is always a risk with any surgery, it’s especially shocking when it occurs during procedures deemed minor. Here are ten instances where people died during minor surgery.
10. Lidocaine Toxicity
The probability of dying from a local anesthetic is incredibly low, less than 1 in 100,000. Lidocaine, commonly used for various procedures, is generally safe. However, in rare cases, it can be deadly, especially if administered incorrectly. In 2011, a five-year-old girl, Kensley Kirby, died after receiving a lidocaine shot to numb her arm before setting a break. The dosage was fatal because her body absorbed the nerve blocker too quickly. It was speculated that the doctor was used to working on adults and didn’t adjust the dosage for a child.
9. Therapeutic Complications
Comedian Joan Rivers died on September 4, 2014, due to therapeutic complications from a routine endoscopy. While under anesthesia, her vocal cords spasmed, blocking oxygen to her brain. Doctors couldn’t insert a breathing tube in time because her throat swelled, leading to brain damage and respiratory failure. Her heart stopped beating. Though rare, heart and respiratory failure, leading to brain damage, are potential side effects of anesthesia.
The doctors were also investigated for malpractice, as they performed a laryngoscopy that Joan hadn’t agreed to and may have missed early signs of her dropping blood pressure and pulse.
8. Andy’s Gallbladder
Pop art icon Andy Warhol survived being shot in 1968, but what was labeled a “routine” gallbladder surgery ultimately caused his death. The stress of recovery, combined with his previous injuries, daily speed use, and prolonged sickness, proved too much for his heart. He made it through the surgery but didn’t leave the hospital.
7. Danger at the Dentist’s Office
Nitrous oxide is a safe alternative to pain medication, but if used incorrectly, it can be deadly. A young child died due to a lack of oxygen during a dental procedure. The doctor increased the amount of sedative when the child didn’t respond to the nitrous oxide, leading to fatal complications.
6. Lack of Wisdom
A 17-year-old girl suffered a heart attack during a routine wisdom teeth extraction. Although she was revived and taken to the hospital, she was declared brain dead a week later. The family sued for malpractice, arguing for better monitoring and emergency response. An uncertified dental assistant was also partially blamed. The family received a $2 million settlement, but it couldn’t replace their daughter.
5. Mommy Makeover
A 38-year-old mother of two died during a “mommy makeover” in Tijuana. She experienced blood clotting during the tummy tuck and suffered a heart attack. Despite 45 minutes of CPR, the medical team couldn’t revive her. Medical tourism, where people seek cheaper procedures in other countries, can risk quality, hygiene, and life due to deceptive ads and potential malpractice.
4. Bleach in the Line
Texas nurse Kimberly Clark Saenz was sentenced to death for murdering dialysis patients during their treatments. Dialysis patients rely on facilities to clean their blood, trusting technicians implicitly. Saenz injected a bleach solution into IV lines, causing patients to fall ill and suffer cardiac arrest. Of the five patients who died that year, all had come into direct contact with Saenz.
3. da Vinci Robot
The da Vinci robot is a minimally invasive surgical tool, but it’s still relatively new, and doctors receive limited training. In 2012, a woman died during a robot-assisted hysterectomy when the robot’s arm nicked a blood vessel. Such incidents highlight the potential for technological tragedy despite the advancements in medical technology.
2. Fat Cells
A 46-year-old transgender woman from New York died during a Brazilian butt lift in Miami. The surgery poses a risk if the surgeon injects fat below the gluteal muscles, potentially penetrating the gluteal vein. This can cause fat to enter the bloodstream, leading to heart and lung failure. Over the past decade, at least 20 people in Miami have died from this procedure.
1. A Repeat Offender
Dr. Dmitry Shelchkov was responsible for the death of 26-year-old Sha-Asia Washington during a C-section. He failed to give her oxygen after administering an epidural and fentanyl, resulting in cardiac arrests. Shelchkov has been tied to eight other malpractice incidents, and his medical license is currently suspended.
These stories remind us that even minor surgeries carry risks. It’s essential to be informed, choose qualified professionals, and understand the potential complications involved.
What are your thoughts on these tragic events? Share your comments below!
