Maricopa County (Ariz) Superior Court—A 44-year-old woman presented to her Ob/Gyn with problems of vaginal laxity that caused sexual dysfunction. The physician recommended she undergo an episiotomy scar revision. Postoperatively, it was discovered that the doctor instead performed a labioplasty.
In suing, the patient contended that the physician performed an unauthorized surgery. Further, she felt the procedure permanently disfigured her genitalia.
While the doctor admitted to performing a different procedure than the one the patient consented to, the Ob/Gyn argued that the woman’s labia looked normal. In addition, the physician argued that the patient did not seek psychological counseling following the labioplasty and remains sexually active.
The jury awarded the plaintiff $750,000.
The cases presented here were compiled by Lewis L. Laska, editor of Medical Malpractice Verdicts, Settlements & Experts. While there are instances when the available information is incomplete, these cases represent the types of clinical situations that typically result in litigation.