Last Updated on February 17, 2025 by tanya

Prostate Postoperative Infection Due To A Swab

 

Know Your Rights and Next Steps

 

Prostate surgery is a delicate procedure and prostate postoperative infection due to a missed swab being can lead to a claim. This is because it can lead to infection resulting in serious complications for a patient. Known as a retained surgical swab, an error such as this rarely happens as swabs should be counted before and after surgery according to strict protocols.

 

But if this has happened to you, First Personal Injury may be able to help.

 

Causes of Infection After Prostate Surgery

 

Postoperative infections may occur due to various factors. However, when a surgical swab is mistakenly left inside the body, the risk of infection increases exponentially. A retained swab may triggering an immune response while bacterial growth also poses a risk. Here are common causes of infection in such cases:

Surgical Error: Mistakes in counting surgical instruments and materials before closing the surgical site can lead to a swab inadvertently being left inside a patient.

Prolonged Surgery Duration: Longer surgical times increase the risk of human error and oversight.

Insufficient Postoperative Monitoring: Failure to detect symptoms of infection early on following the operation can allow bacteria to spread, exacerbating the condition.

Compromised Sterile Environment: Any breach in a sterile environment can lead to bacterial contamination, increasing the likelihood of infection.

Weakened Immune System: Patients with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to postoperative infections.

 

Symptoms of Infection Due to a Retained Swab

 

Patients who develop an infection from a retained swab after prostate surgery may experience a variety of symptoms. These require early medical intervention:

 

• Persistent Fever: A high fever that does not subside may indicate an ongoing infection.
• Severe Pelvic Pain: Unusual and persistent pain in the pelvic region may suggest an inflammatory response.
• Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Frequent urination, burning sensation, and cloudy or foul-smelling urine can be indicative of an infection.
• Swelling and Redness: External swelling and redness in the surgical area may be a sign of localized infection.
• Drainage from the Surgical Site: Pus or foul-smelling discharge from the surgical wound can indicate the presence of an abscess.
• Sepsis Symptoms: In severe cases, a retained swab can lead to sepsis, characterized by low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and confusion.

 

Do I Have a Claim For Medical Negligence?

 

A retained surgical swab causing infection after prostate surgery is a preventable error with serious consequences. Such a swab can act as a foreign body, creating an ideal environment for bacterial growth resulting in infections.

Patients who suffer infections due to this error may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, additional medical expenses, loss of earnings, and, in extreme cases, long-term disability.

If you are considering a claim, you must be able to demonstrate that the retained swab directly caused the infection and subsequent harm. Medical reports linking the infection to the foreign object are crucial in this regard.

Additionally, there has to be proof that the surgeon, nursing staff, or hospital failed to meet the standard of care by leaving a swab inside the body. This may involve evidence from medical records, expert witness testimony, and hospital policies.

 

First Personal Injury offers expert advice and support on medical negligence claims and we work with lawyers who operate on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis.

Contact us today at 0333 358 2345 or complete our online contact form to arrange an initial, no-obligation consultation. We’re here to help you explore your options for pursuing a claim.