Los Angeles County (Calif) Superior Court
After 3 years of conservative treatment for recurring intense pain stemming from fibroids, a 41-year-old woman underwent a laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy.
Twelve hours after surgery, the woman began to hemorrhage. A laparotomy identified the woman’s right ovary as the source of the bleeding. An oophorectomy was performed.
The plaintiff argued that her right ovary was improperly removed, leading to surgical menopause. She also alleged that the hysterectomy itself was not clinically indicated.
The defendant physician not only claimed the hysterectomy was indicated given the woman’s history, but also noted that the patient specifically requested the procedure. Further, the Ob/Gyn maintained that the oophorectomy was properly performed, and that the remaining ovary should have supplied adequate hormones.
- The jury returned a defense verdict.