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Anaesthesiology Intensive Therapy
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2/2023
vol. 55
 
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abstract:
Original article

Serious complications related to regional anaesthesia: Study of Greek Courts’ Decisions

Evangelia Samara
1
,
Lampros Tzoumas
1
,
Konstantinos Tzoumas
2
,
Petros Tzimas
1
,
Georgios Papadopoulos
1

  1. Department of Anesthesiology and Postoperative Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
  2. Lawyer, Private Practice
Anaesthesiol Intensive Ther 2023; 55, 2: 109–113
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/ait.2023.129302
Online publish date: 2023/06/30
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Background:
Regional anaesthesia and analgesia present many advantages. Related complications are few and have been fully described. Information on regional anaesthesia malpractice is lacking in Greece. The objectives of the analysis were to highlight areas of high litigation risk and report the financial impact of claims.

Methods:
Published judicial decisions of criminal, civil, administrative and disciplinary content, from 1995 to 2020, were searched in the legal information banks. The court decisions were analysed by an expert in collaboration with the lawyers of the investigation.

Results:
A total of 26 court decisions related to complications from regional anaesthesia were found involving 10 cases, which comprised: 8 convictions, 1 referral of the case for a new expert opinion and 1 acquittal. In 6 cases the medical negligence involved complications after epidural anaesthesia and in 2 after subarachnoid anaesthesia. In 1 case there was collective liability of the anaesthesiologist and the obstetrician for negligent homicide and in 7 cases liability of the anaesthesiologist for bodily injuries. The duration of the litigation was 5–16 years.

Conclusions:
Analysis of court cases made it possible to identify the causes that led to complications during regional anaesthesia. Informed consent, non-traumatic technique, careful patient selection, adherence to safety rules, and early diagnosis and treatment of complications are essential to avoid permanent injury.

keywords:

complications, epidural anaesthesia, spinal anaesthesia, malpractice, regional anaesthesia, medical liability
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