Question:
Fact or Urban Legend about Brigham & Women's Hospital????
Hi everyone- A friend told me tonight that she heard that Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston had an unfortunate accident while a surgeon was performing WLS. My friend heard that a stapling instrument malfunctioned, shot off staples, and killed a woman during surgery. Also, that all WLS at B & W has been suspended for now. I feel foolish for even posting this question because it sounds so absurd, but my friend was insisting that she'd heard it on the news. Is there any truth to any of this or is it some type of Halloween prank? Thanks, Mea — Mea A. (posted on November 6, 2003)
November 5, 2003
Yes, it is true. The "staple gun" malfunctioned -- but I believe
she died three days after the surgery. The hospital is suspending surgery
until they complete their investigation.
— mary G.
November 5, 2003
Here is a link to the article. I hope this helps.
http://www.boston.com/yourlife/health/diseases/articles/2003/11/06/death_points_to_risk_of_obesity_surgery/
— Natalie J.
November 5, 2003
Its true, the hospital is suspending lap gastric bypass surgery until
further notice, they will continue to do open GBS though. BIg investigation
is underway, Brigham & Womens is reputed to be one of the best
hospitals in the country.
THe story is in all the major newspapers, check out the Boston GLobe and
the Boston Herald.
hope this answers some questions
— goldroses
November 5, 2003
There is a link to that exact story through this site's main page, where
the latest news is outlined. Leads to a direct link on MSNBC. Sometimes we
forget how much 'other' info. is on this site, other than the MB and the
Q&A, check it out!
— track
November 5, 2003
Some one I was corresponding with had a stapler malfunction, tear up her
intestines and had a long horrible recovery. So glad I had an open.
— **willow**
November 6, 2003
When I read it, it made me awfully glad I had an open because at least if
it happened when they were in there during an open they could try and fix
the problem quick. The article said just LAP WLS had been cancelled.
Didn't say open type.
— zoedogcbr
November 6, 2003
Actually, they did convert to an open:
<p>
"Lautz, as is routine, began firing staples, said Dr. Andy Whittemore,
Brigham's chief medical officer. The gun fires six rows of parallel
staples. An attached knife automatically cuts the tissue down the middle,
separating the stomach into a large pouch and a tiny pouch. The large pouch
will no longer function. After the surgery, patients can eat enough food to
fill only the small pouch."
<p>
During Simonelli's surgery, Lautz noticed that staples in one row had
popped out, so he converted the operation to a traditional open surgery,
Whittemore said. Lautz closed that portion of her stomach with traditional
hand sutures, Whittemore said.
<p>
This is the one danger of having the pouch transected (cut away) from the
main part of the stomach-if you get a leak from a transected pouch, it will
leak into the abdominal cavity. If a non-transected stomach leaks, it
will just leak into the lower part of the stomach...JR
— John Rushton
November 6, 2003
Here's the link to the article on Cnn.com:
http://www.cnn.com/2003/HEALTH/11/06/stomach.staple.death.ap/index.html
— LMCLILLY
November 6, 2003
I read the article on CNN.com. It said "laparoscopic surgeries"
would be suspended - I would think that means all lap procedures - whether
it's gastric bypass, gallbladder, hysterectomy or appendectomy, etc., where
this instrument would be used. Also, the woman died 3 days after surgery,
so it is unclear at this time whether or not the misfiring stapler was
actually what lead to her death. ("The surgery was a success, but the
patient died".)The investigation has not been completed. There are
hundreds of thousands of people everywhere who have had lap surgeries of
one sort or another with no problems, and a staple gun has been used. I
think a lot of the media sensationalism here is because it just happened to
have happened to a woman who was having gastric bypass surgery. ("See?
We told you this surgery was dangerous and deadly!") Would it have
been big news if it was a lap appendectomy or lap cholecystectomy?
Doubtful. This doesn't mean that lap gastric bypass surgery is suddenly
"more dangerous" than open surgery! Staplers are used during open
surgeries, too. (My lap surgeon only transects, however.)
— koogy
November 6, 2003
Mea, I had my Open RNY at Brigham & Women's Hospital on March 3, 2002
with Dr. Malcolm Robinson. I am not familiar with Dr. Lautz, except that I
have seen his business card next to that of my surgeon's. I cannot comment
on his surgical technique or experience, I can only comment on my personal
experience. I am extremely happy with Dr. Robinson and with BWH. I would
not change unless Dr. Robinson stopped practicing there altogether. I am
hoping that his tragic episode does not keep people from seeking out the
surgery at BWH in the future. And I hope that the media does not turn this
into yet another tirade on the "evils" of weight loss surgery.
It is always a terrible tragedy when someone loses their battle (whether it
be waiting for surgery, during surgery or from complications), but it would
be a shame for this to turn someone away from such a lifesaving procedure.
Lisa in MA
— sssuzie1
November 6, 2003
This is apparently true. Its in New York local papers today, a small
article. The women, 38 died during the surgery they think as a result of a
misfire, but there arent much details. The FDA was notified and the
hospital has stopped surgeries for now. This happened last month
— gary viscio
November 6, 2003
Original poster here- Thanks for the info, everyone. I live in the sticks
here in Western Mass so don't always hear what goes on at the other end of
the state. If any family or friends of the woman who died happen to be
reading this, please accept my condolences on your loss. How tragic!
Thanks, Mea
— Mea A.
November 6, 2003
Hello,
This is a Fact. I am from Boston and it was a pretty big deal here on the
news, but let me assure you that this is one of those "Getting Strike
By Lightning" accidents. Very rarely and will probably never ever
happen again. Brigham & Women's has put a hold on all further
surgeries of this type pending a thorough investigation. Please do not be
concerned about your own procedures. I am living proof that this does
work. 2 years later and I couldn't be happier.
— Kelly T.
November 7, 2003
The hospital has suspended doing laproscopic surgery because of the
incident. The women I believe died two days later from complications. The
hospital probably will resume the surgeries after the FDA checks out why
the staple gun misfired. The hospital is legally required to have the FDA
investigate.
— Nunzia12
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