[Complaints for treatment of uterine myomatosis]

Complaints related to uterine myomatosis treatments received by the National Commission of Medical Arbitration (Conamed) between 2001 and 2005 were analyzed. Complaints were from patients affiliated to social security institutions (51.7 %), private providers (34.5 %) and public health care services (13.8 %). A medical doctor suggested to fill in the complaint in 10.3 % of cases. Perception of inadequate treatment was the most frequent cause (69 %), incomplete medical charts were 60.3 % and only 24 % included the informed consent form. Medical information given to patients and relatives was inadequate (48.2 %). Hysterectomy was performed to 84.5 % of patients. The most frequent surgical complications were hemorrhage (25.7 %), urologic injuries (25.7 %) and surgical infections (12.7 %). 36.4 % of cases had no surgical complication. Main sequelae were: elapsed length of hospital stay (15 %) and loss of an organ (other than uterus) or function (not reproductive) (13.8 %). There was one death (1.7 %). Medical malpractice was found in 29.3 % of cases. Principal deviations: communication problems (29.6 %), unjustified delayed surgery (29.4 %) and delayed diagnosis of complications due to poor post-surgical care or premature hospital discharge (29.4 %).