Plaintiffs' Personal Injury Law Firm

Intestinal Anastomotic Failures

If you've had abdominal surgery, or an intestinal-bowel-colon resection and it failed, it may be due to medical malpractice, product liability (such as the device that seals the ends malfunctioned or has a defective design), or both. 

Increasingly mechanical staplers are used in the anastomosis, or joining of cut sections, in surgical procedures such as low anterior resection, coloproctostomy or colorectostomy, or abdominal surgery.  There is one stapler, in particular, that has been known and reported to have and cause problems. It is called the Contour Curved Cutter Stapler and is made by a company called Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., located in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The Contour Curved Cutter Stapler is put through an incision made prior, the tissue (for example, the rectum) is transected with the stapling device, and the anastomosis is accomplished by a double stapling technique. 

However, the problem with the Contour Curved Cutter Stapler is that there are many reports of product malfunction.  At times, the pin does not move when fired.  Other times the stapler does not fire at all.  Staples are not always placed when they are supposed to.  One known problem with this device is that the although the device closes and fires, the blade does not always cut, and the jaws do not always open, meaning that the stapler must be cut out of the tissue manually with a scalpel.  Another known issue is that the staple line opens after anastomosis, causing serious injury.  Yet another issue is that a combination of the stapler's anvil not opening all the way and the sharp edges of the pusher blocks results in portions of tissue being in the staple load's grip, causing tears and injury.  Defects like these can result in anastomic leakage and a failed resection.

Anastomic leakage is disastrous.  Patients can experience terrible abdominal pain, tachycardia, high fevers, and a rigid abdomen, often accompanied by hemodynamic instability.  Others have low-grade fever, prolonged ileus, or failure to thrive.  While there are many factors that can contribute to a leak, it can be caused by misplaced staples or defective stapling devices. 

If you or a loved one has suffered complications after abdominal surgery or a failed resection, you may be entitled to compensation.  The professional team of lawyers at Napoli Bern Ripka Law Firm can evaluate your situation and determine the next steps to gain justice for you and your family. Napoli Bern Ripka, LLP has fought against large companies in other matters and will fight for you if we believe you have a potential case for medical malpractice, products liability, personal injury, and is prepared to go to court and have a trial if necessary.   Please fill out the form and submit or call and ask for Alan Ripka, one of our partners.