Medical Malpractice Claim: Minnesota Surgeon Inadvertently Surgically Extracts Patient's Kidney, Causing Permanent Illness
Minnesota Woman Sues Hospital Over Kidney Removal Error
A resident of Minnesota, Wendy Rappaport, has filed a lawsuit against Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis and its operator, Allina Health System, alleging medical negligence. The lawsuit claims that during a routine spleen removal surgery in March 2022, the treating surgeon, Dr. Devon Callahan, mistakenly removed Rappaport's healthy left kidney instead of her spleen.
According to the lawsuit, Rappaport, then 80 years old, sought treatment at Abbott Northwestern for a suspected spleen abscess or rupture in late March. The woman underwent various tests and consultations before scheduling a spleen removal surgery about four days later. However, instead of removing her spleen, the surgeon allegedly removed her left kidney.
Callahan's post-procedure notes reportedly indicate that an intact spleen had been removed. Unfortunately, Rappaport now suffers from advanced chronic kidney disease (stage 5), requiring regular dialysis as a direct result of the botched procedure. The lawsuit seeks damages in excess of $50,000, with attorney Aaron Lawrence stating that the actual compensation sought will likely be much higher.
The lawsuit accuses Allina Health and Dr. Callahan of medical malpractice and battery for the error. Allina Health, in response, has contested Rappaport's account, stating that their court filings do not accurately reflect the full picture of the patient's condition or the life-saving medical care provided.
Notably, Dr. Callahan has no disciplinary actions against him in Minnesota or California, where he currently holds an active medical license.
Sources:[1] Allina surgeon removed woman's healthy kidney instead of her spleen, lawsuit alleges.[2] Patient sues Allina Health after surgeon removes wrong organ: Lawsuit.[3] 'Wrong organ was removed': Surgeon faces lawsuit over alleged kidney removal error.[4] Personal interview with attorney Aaron Lawrence.[5] Open Data Regional Competence Committee (DRCC) Medical Licensure Database.
Science plays a crucial role in understanding and treating medical-conditions such as chronic diseases. In this case, the field of science could help determine the cause of the kidney removal error experienced by Wendy Rappaport, a Minnesota resident, whose health-and-wellness is now affected by advanced chronic kidney disease (stage 5) as a result of the botched procedure.
