Serious complications related to regional anaesthesia: Study of Greek Courts' Decisions.

BACKGROUND: Regional anaesthesia and analgesia present many advantages. Related complications are few and have been fully described. Information on regional anaesthesia malpractice is lacking in Greece. The objectives of the analysis were to highlight areas of high litigation risk and report the financial impact of claims. METHODS: Published judicial decisions of criminal, civil, administrative and disciplinary content, from 1995 to 2020, were searched in the legal information banks. The court decisions were analysed by an expert in collaboration with the lawyers of the investigation. RESULTS: A total of 26 court decisions related to complications from regional anaesthesia were found involving 10 cases, which comprised: 8 convictions, 1 referral of the case for a new expert opinion and 1 acquittal. In 6 cases the medical negligence involved complications after epidural anaesthesia and in 2 after subarachnoid anaesthesia. In 1 case there was collective liability of the anaesthesiologist and the obstetrician for negligent homicide and in 7 cases liability of the anaesthesiologist for bodily injuries. The duration of the litigation was 5-16 years. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of court cases made it possible to identify the causes that led to complications during regional anaesthesia. Informed consent, non-traumatic technique, careful patient selection, adherence to safety rules, and early diagnosis and treatment of complications are essential to avoid permanent injury.

Medical Liability in Neurosurgery: Greek Courts Decisions Analysis.

AIM: The purpose of the research was to assess the current situation regarding medical liability in Neurosurgery in Greece, the involvement of Anesthesiologists in court decisions, the impact of court cases and decisions, the time until the final decision, and the relationship between these issues and judicial results. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Published court decisions of criminal, civil, administrative and disciplinary content were searched in legal information banks, from 1985 to 2021. RESULTS: A total of 52 court decisions were retrieved, 11 criminal court cases and 10 civil cases, involving 7 cases of negligent homicide and 14 bodily injuries were retrieved. The duration of litigation in 17 cases was 5.5 years, while in 4 cases the duration was 14.5 years. The average compensation paid was € 101,701. CONCLUSION: Neurosurgery has a relatively small number of reported complaints of medical negligence compared to other surgical specialties in Greece. Complications of spinal surgeries represent the majority of court cases. There is a need for immediate judicial - legislative reform of the framework for seeking medical liability of doctors.