Dr. used wronge stitches

[ljean]

What is the name of your state? Minnesota

I have a 6 year old son. He was born with Hypospadias ( his penis was not developed right, it was like it was split open) and bilateral undescended testicles. At about 10 months old He had surgery to fix it and get circumsized and bring down his testicals. Everything went fine. I took him back for his check up and that was fine. For the past 5 years since his physicans have checked it and they have said it looks good.

Just two days ago I was helping him into the bathtub I noticed some black spots around his penis. I looked closer and saw what looked like stitches. I took him to the doctor the next day and sure enough she said the same thing.

The only thing I can think of is that the dr. who did the surgery mistakingly put nylon stitches in instead of desovlable stitches (they told me they put desovlable stitchen in) and the skin grew around the stitches to the point they were completely covered up. And now that he is older and growing up, his skin is thinning out and than out came the stitches.

They look like slivers in his skin. He doesn't complain about it, but he has had them most of his life, he doesn't know the difference.

I would think this is medical malpractic.
Should this dr. who did the surgery be responsable for the upcoming medical bills? I'm afraid my son will have to have surgery again.

Is this something to talk to an attorney about?

ljean

 

[rmet4nzkx]

Please take your child to a pediatric urologist for their opinion. This is a rare condition that is on the rise in recent years Did you have any problemd during pregnancy? Did your receive genetic counseling? Did your child have any other testing following birth related to this condition? Does your child have any other health or behavioral issues? Have you had any subsequent pregnancies?

 

[ellencee]

Dissolvable sutures are supposed to dissolve, but sometimes they don't. Not meaning to be flippant at all, but my dog had surgery about five years ago and dissolvable sutures were used. If you look at her abdomen or rub her belly just right, you can see or feel (respectively) the sutures. Now, my dog isn't really concerned about it and neither is the vet.

Unless the sutures are causing a problem or have the potential to cause a problem, I fail to see a problem.

Doesn't it seem more likely that a couple of sutures did not dissolve than all of the nylon sutures (non-dissolvable) sutures absorbed except for these two?

Millions of men with vasectomies are walking around happy as can be with their sport's edition penises and the a) tiny metal screws b) permanent sutures c) metal or plastic clips don't cause a problem. How could two tiny sutures be such a big deal?

As for the legal aspect--the MD would have had to know that by leaving in these sutures, the patient would be significantly damaged. I think you should call an attorney or two; you could make their day.

EC

 

[ThreeCrowns]

More Bad Advice from ellencee

She compares her dog to your son, what a disgrace.

The boy has stitches inside his penis. How would you feel have stiches on your vagina, and you compare this to your dog getting stiches? Not only are disrespectful, you are a know it all who knows nothing.

The penis as everyone knows can change in size during sexual activity, what if these stiches are still in place when it could cause injury when he grows up causing internal damage to his penis.

I would at least consultant an attorney to see what options you might have, all the best with your son. This is a free advice board where anyone can type anything they want to without knowing anything... keep this in mind when you read any post including mine.

 

[rmet4nzkx]

She compares her dog to your son, what a disgrace.

The boy has stitches inside his penis. How would you feel have stiches on your vagina, and you compare this to your dog getting stiches? Not only are disrespectful, you are a know it all who knows nothing.

The penis as everyone knows can change in size during sexual activity, what if these stiches are still in place when it could cause injury when he grows up causing internal damage to his penis.

I would at least consultant an attorney to see what options you might have, all the best with your son. This is a free advice board where anyone can type anything they want to without knowing anything... keep this in mind when you read any post including mine.

Ellen was making a point, that just because the stiches are still visable doesn't mean that they are nylon. There are many similarities between medicine in humans and animals, there is no disrespect at all. If the stiches were nylon and pulling, it would be noticable even now and infant males also have erections so it is not something to wait to develop later in life. I refered the mother to take the child to a pediatric urologist for their opinion. There may be other considerations with this condition, that is the reason for my further questions and only after that opinion would taking it to a med-mal attorney be advised.

 

[ljean]

I also thought she was being disrespectful. I felt it being sarcatic.
So why respond to her.
Anyways we have an appointment with the urologist this thursday. The same dr. who did the original surgery.

ljean

 

[ellencee]

I was not being 'disrespectful'. I found your post funny and I still do--not because of your information per se but because of the number of posts on this forum from mothers concerned about their sons' penises and whether or not it will match the rest of the family's penises.

Two stiches that can be removed if and when they cause a problem are hardly worth contacting an attorney or even considering a lawsuit. It is foolish beyond belief and I find it funny...if that's disrespectful, so be it--however, I don't think either of you have any room to talk or to call anyone else disrespectful.

EC

 

[rmet4nzkx]

I also thought she was being disrespectful. I felt it being sarcatic.
So why respond to her.
Anyways we have an appointment with the urologist this thursday. The same dr. who did the original surgery.

ljean

ljean,
I am glad that you are taking your child to the surgeon they can answer your questions. Be sure to ask the other questions as this condition when combined with bilateral undescended testicles may have other health implications.

To Ellen,
While I agree comparison to animals was no disrespect. However, your comments today re the appearance of a child's penis was disrespectful. As you well know, Hypospadias, is a far cry from differences between a circumcised v uncircumsicised penis and even with repair, may still cause it's owner no end of grief, both emotionally and physically. It is not something to be made light of. It is for that reason that I asked the questions because there are potential genetic, endocrine and behavioral problems associated with this condition.

 

[ellencee]

Oh, good grief. We must be in kindergarten today.

rmet
Judge someone else; I'm not playing.
The rest of your post is not relevant and none of your business as a volunteer poster in this section--just like the comments to the mother whose infant suffered a serious problem from MRSA--you presented excellent questions for the defense (prenatal care or the lack thereof being the cause).

EC

 

[rmet4nzkx]

Oh, good grief. We must be in kindergarten today.

rmet
Judge someone else; I'm not playing.
The rest of your post is not relevant and none of your business as a volunteer poster in this section--just like the comments to the mother whose infant suffered a serious problem from MRSA--you presented excellent questions for the defense (prenatal care or the lack thereof being the cause).

EC

Kindergarten? Well that explains your disrespect? No, I'm not in Kindergarten and it is obvious that you don't play well with others. Why don't you just say you are sorry rather than continue making fun of posters who are concerned about their or their child's penis?

These people come here for advice, not to be disrespected although on other forums there may be good reason, on this forum, we should treat the posters with respect and take their issues seriously.

When a poster comes here, as when they come into the office, examination or consulting room, deserve an objective consideration. That means that they deserve a realistic assessment of both sides of the issue or determining the appropriate cause of action and what they might do next. It isn't always running to a med-mal attorney.

What brings a person here or there is not always the real issue. In this case, there may be no reason for any legal action based on the wrong type of stiches, however there may be some other cause of action based on SOC related to this child's diagnosis. In the case with MRSA, there may be no cause of action based on the infection or the root cause may be lack of appropriate prenatal care or response to PTL that caused the child to be born prematurely with immature lungs setting the whole thing into play. Sure that might be a defense to the MRSA cause of action, they have a right to know that, or that, the risk may have been less if other standard measures had been taken to manage the PTL. Sometimes in order to have a good case, a litigant has to sue providers they have no issue with because even though they preceive the cause elsewhere, because that is the root cause.

 

[panzertanker]

What is the name of your state? Minnesota

I have a 6 year old son. He was born with Hypospadias ( his penis was not developed right, it was like it was split open) and bilateral undescended testicles. At about 10 months old He had surgery to fix it and get circumsized and bring down his testicals. Everything went fine. I took him back for his check up and that was fine. For the past 5 years since his physicans have checked it and they have said it looks good.

Just two days ago I was helping him into the bathtub I noticed some black spots around his penis. I looked closer and saw what looked like stitches. I took him to the doctor the next day and sure enough she said the same thing.

The only thing I can think of is that the dr. who did the surgery mistakingly put nylon stitches in instead of desovlable stitches (they told me they put desovlable stitchen in) and the skin grew around the stitches to the point they were completely covered up. And now that he is older and growing up, his skin is thinning out and than out came the stitches.

They look like slivers in his skin. He doesn't complain about it, but he has had them most of his life, he doesn't know the difference.

I would think this is medical malpractic.
Should this dr. who did the surgery be responsable for the upcoming medical bills? I'm afraid my son will have to have surgery again.

Is this something to talk to an attorney about?

ljean

Not all dissolvable stitches actually do what they are touted to do. Some do, some stay in the body until they are possibly "rejected" as it sounds like in the case of your son.

Take him to the urology specialist, as you say you are going to do, and ignore the rest. Is it malpractice?, I doubt it. As painful as it may seem to you for your son to be going through this, it unfortunately happens frequently.

Make sure that his urethra (pee tube) is unblocked and his testicles remain descended. Worry about the rest later. You will note that IF they are vicryl or nylon sutures, they will be removed and all will be OK. Most med/mal cases require a damage to the patient or gross negligence. So far, with your info, I don't see that. I understand you are upset, but this happens; both with sutures that dissolve and with using the wrong suture at times.

Ellen,
I would guess that you have never gotten your genitals caught in a zipper before, but it is painful! My concern would be that the stitch could possibly be circumfirential, thereby a potential tourniquet....

Right now we and you do not know which is the case...
Keep us posted.

 

[ellencee]

Ellen, I would guess that you have never gotten your genitals caught in a zipper before, but it is painful!

You'd guess correctly! but--I have had a baby pass through them and I did have a couple of sutures!

Just two days ago I was helping him into the bathtub I noticed some black spots around his penis... I looked closer and saw what looked like stitches.They look like slivers in his skin...I took him to the doctor the next day and sure enough she said the same thing. For the past 5 years since his physicans have checked it and they have said it looks good. He doesn't complain about it, but he has had them most of his life, he doesn't know the difference.

My concern would be that the stitch could possibly be circumfirential, thereby a potential tourniquet....Right now we and you do not know which is the case...

Yeah, we do.
EC

 

[panzertanker]

You'd guess correctly! but--I have had a baby pass through them and I did have a couple of sutures!


Yeah, we do.
EC

Should have seperated those answers. That was an answer to whether they were dissolvable or vicryl, not circumferential...

 

[vrzirn]

Suturing duing a circumcision are indvidual ties and not running' They are not going to be a problem and will probably work themselves to the skin surface. Truly, no big deal.
It is more important that he urinates in a straight line and that his erection is not too crooked when he is older.

 

[panzertanker]

Suturing duing a circumcision are indvidual ties and not running' They are not going to be a problem and will probably work themselves to the skin surface. Truly, no big deal.
It is more important that he urinates in a straight line and that his erection is not too crooked when he is older.

Pt had a repair of hypospadias, not circumcision. Different suture, different approach depending on severity. Agreed that it is not normally a 'running' suture line, but internal sutures can cause problems...granted from OP description there is nothing to worry about.