Friday, April 26, 2013

Kaiser surgeon, or surgical resident, bungles colostomy closure, patient passes stool through vagina

Woman Blames Kaiser for Poop Through Vagina
By BARBARA WALLACE
Courthouse News
April 25, 2013

PORTLAND (CN) - A Kaiser surgeon, or a surgical resident practicing under a surgeon, bungled Vicki Lopez-Lunn's colostomy closure, puncturing her vagina with one or more staples and causing an abnormal opening between her colon and vagina, Lopez-Lunn claims in a malpractice lawsuit filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court. "As a result, Ms. Lopez-Lunn began passing stool through her vagina," according to the complaint.

James W. Dennis, M.D. and Emily Bubbers, M.D. are named as defendants.

"Vicki Lopez-Lunn was never informed of the increased risks associated with having a resident surgeon, [such as] Emily Bubbers, M.D. perform surgical procedures like the one performed on plaintiff," the complaint states. "Had Dr. Dennis and /or Dr. Bubbers informed Ms. Lopez-Lunn of the risks associated with this surgery, Ms. Lopez-Lunn would have elected not to proceed with the surgery."

"Defendant Dennis and/or Bubbers knew or in the exercise of reasonable care should have known that puncturing Ms. Lopez-Lunn's vaginal cuff with surgical staples would cause injury to Ms. Lopez-Lunn," the complaint asserts.

The plaintiff is seeking $1.7 million in damages and is represented by Clayton Morrison of Beaverton, Ore.

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