Professional Negligence Law Reporter

Medicine

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Ureter injury during cesarean section

November/December 2024

Doe, 18, underwent a cesarean section after pushing for two hours during labor. She required additional suturing, and treating physicians checked for a bladder injury before closing her abdomen. Six days later, Doe developed a high fever and vomiting. She was later diagnosed as having a stitched left ureter, which had become completely obstructed.

When stenting procedures proved unsuccessful, Doe underwent a left ureteral reimplantation procedure. She now has a distorted bladder anatomy and her urine refluxes into her kidney, resulting in voiding dysfunction, recurrent UTIs, and kidney infections. She also must self-catheterize intermittently.

A malpractice suit against an undisclosed defendant resulted in a verdict of over $10.01 million.

Citation: Cayce v. Mercy Hosp., Undisclosed Dkt. No. (Mo. Cir. Ct. St. Louis Cnty. Jan. 17, 2024).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ members Mary Simon, John Simon, Erica Slater, all of St. Louis.