Evaluation of medical malpractice claims in thoracic surgery

BACKGROUND: Medical malpractice occurs in cases, where a patient experiences damage as a result of the doctor’s deviation from the standard practice or care. As in all medical specialties, thoracic surgeons may face medical malpractice claims. METHODS: Among the files reviewed by the First Board of Specialization of the Council of Forensic Medicine between January 01, 2010, and December 21, 2015, cases with malpractice allegations against thoracic surgeons were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Fifty-nine of the cases were male (72.8%), and 22 were female (27.2%). The mean age was 51.13±18.97 years, and the most common age range was >60 years (n=35, 43.2%). Medical malpractice was confirmed in 11 (13.6%) of the cases. A diagnostic error was the most common cause of error (n=7, 63.6%), and the most common cause of a diagnostic error was failure to diagnose a condition on time (n=4, 36.4%). The most frequent diagnosis was “injuries due to trauma” (n=54, 66.7%), followed by lung cancer (n=9, 11.1%). It was found that 80.2% (n=65) of the doctors intervened with the patient as a consultant. Complications developed in 48 (59.3%) of the cases. The most common complication was pneumonia (n=7, 14.6%). CONCLUSION: This was the first study in Turkey that included cases of medical malpractice claims that involved thoracic surgeons. We think that examining cases with medical malpractice claims will help physicians not only better understand the characteristics of malpractice claims but also develop strategies to prevent malpractice claims.