Malpractice in head and neck surgery: a review of cases

To examine the sources of litigation related to the practice of head and neck surgery.

Analysis of malpractice claims directly related to the diagnosis and treatment of head and neck disease provided by 16 medical liability insurance companies.

Not applicable.

Data were obtained from 16 members of the Physician Insurers Association of America. All claims were either filed or closed between 1978 and 2007. Claims were evaluated for patient age, the cause for the claim, any surgical complications, and indemnity paid.

Three hundred fifteen claims were identified between 1978 and 2007. The mean patient age was 48 years (median, 47 years). The greatest number of claims came from the 36- to 45-years age group (n = 68, 24.6%). Perioperative complications represented the largest cause of claims (n = 169, 53.7%), followed by delay of or missed diagnosis (n = 109, 34.6%) and persistence or recurrence of disease (n = 21, 6.7%). Among perioperative complications, nerve injuries were the largest group (n = 64, 20.3%), followed by airway-related claims (n = 27, 8.6%), esophageal injuries (n = 14, 4.4%), poor cosmetic results (n = 14, 4.4%), vessel injuries (n = 11, 3.5%), and postoperative infections (n = 2, 0.6%). Overall, mortalities resulted in 62 (19.7%) claims.

Four important risks for malpractice litigation in head and neck surgery were identified: young patient age, perioperative complications, delay of or missed diagnosis, and persistence or recurrence of disease.