Patient injuries in pediatric otorhinolaryngology

Objectives: Patient injuries in children can have lifelong effects on the patient and a marked impact on the whole family. The aim of this study was to identify the errors and incidents leading to patient injuries in pediatric otorhinolaryngology (ORL) by evaluating accepted patient injury claims. Methods: The records of all accepted patient injury claims in ORL between 2001 and 2011 were searched from the nationwide Patient Insurance Centre registry. Pediatric injuries were reviewed and evaluated in detail, and factors contributing to injury were identified. Results: In the 10-year study period, 17 (7.6%) of the 223 patient injuries occurred in children, and of these, 15 (88%) were considered operative care. The median age of the patients was 8 years (range 3–16 years). All operations were performed as daytime elective surgery and by a fully trained specialist in 93% of the cases. One-half of the cases were routine surgeries for common ORL diseases. The most common incidences were incomplete surgery, retained gauze or foreign body, injury to adjacent anatomic structure, and insufficient charts or instructions (each occurred in 3 cases). The most frequent consequence was burn (n = 4). One child died because of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage. Conclusions: Patient injuries in pediatric ORL are strongly related to surgery. Most injuries occurred after routine operations by a fully trained specialist. Clinicians should be aware of the most likely scenarios resulting in claims.