TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2022//
TI  - Medico-legal risks associated to hand and wrist trauma
JO  - World journal of critical care medicine
A1  - Vasdeki, Dionysia
A1  - Varitimidis, Sokratis E.
A1  - Chryssanthakis, Charalambos
A1  - Stefanou, Nikolaos
A1  - Dailiana, Zoe H.
SP  - 40
EP  - 47
VL  - 11
IS  - 1
N2  - BACKGROUND: Acute hand and wrist injuries are common and may lead to long-term disability if not managed adequately. Claims for negligence have been increasing in medical practice over the past few decades, with hand and wrist injuries and their treatment representing a significant percentage of orthopedic surgery lawsuits. There is no available literature regarding medical malpractice claims in hand and wrist injuries and surgery in Greece. <br><br>AIM: To identify claims related to hand and wrist trauma and surgery and to define the reasons of successful litigations. <br><br>METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of all legal claims of negligence for hand and upper extremity surgery that went to a trial, attributed to all surgical specialties, in Greece for a 20-year period. Data was further analyzed to identify claims related to hand and wrist trauma and surgery. <br><br>RESULTS: There were six malpractice claims related to hand and wrist trauma that ended in a trial. A missed diagnosis, which resulted in failure of initial management of the injury, was the main reason for a claim. Three of the six cases resulted in complete or partial loss of a finger. Two cases are still open, requiring an expert witness's report, two cases were closed in favor of the defendant, and two cases were closed in favor of the plaintiff with a mean compensation of €2000 (€1000-€3000). <br><br>CONCLUSION: Missed diagnosis was the main reason for a malpractice claim. Better understanding of factors leading to successful claims will help surgeons improve their practice to minimize legal implications and litigation.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 2220-3141
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.5492/wjccm.v11.i1.40
ID  - ref1
ER  -