Aspiration Pneumonitis or Mendelson's Syndrome is a result of aspiration (or breathing in) of the regurgitated contents of the stomach and gastric juices into the respiratory tract. Serious injuries that could possibly cause death is due to the result of inhaling gastric contents into the larynx and lower lungs during surgeries which is why a person is required to fast before a surgery. A stomach being empty before surgery minimizes the risk of aspiration pneumonitis. Aspiration Pneumonitis is almost always caused by a medical malpractice.
Symptoms of Aspiration Pneumonitis / Mendelson's Syndrome
Symptoms of aspiration pneumonitis / mendelson's syndrome do not always show up immediately. Symptoms could appear two to five hours following aspiration or may not even appear at all, known as silent aspiration.
Shown symptoms of the Aspiration Pneumonitis / Mendelson's Syndrome include:
Oxygen deprivation
Fever
Cardiac failure
Wheezing
Low blood pressure
Fluid in lungs
Coughing
Hypoxemia
Severe acute respiratory distress syndrome
Who Is Susceptible For Aspiration Pneumonitis / Mendelson's Syndrome
Some people have a higher risk for aspiration pneumonitis compared to others. This is due to the physical condition the person is in.
Some conditions that present higher risk for aspiration pneumonitis / mendelson's syndrome include:
Pregnancy
Morbidly obese
Diabetics with gastro paresis
Hiatus hernia
Achalasia cardia
Prevention of Aspiration Pneumonitis / Mendelson's Syndrome
Aspiration Pneumonitis can be prevented. To minimize or eliminate risk of aspiration pneumonitis careful monitoring during anesthesia, proper airway management, and careful precautions before surgery such as making sure the stomach is empty should be taken. Preventative techniques include nasogastric decompression, acid neutralization, acid suppression, increased gastric peristalsis, and certain drugs that minimize the risk.
Risks of Aspiration Pneumonitis / Mendelson's Syndrome
Aspiration pneumonitis is one of the major risks of surgery involving general anesthesia.Due to the fact that aspiration pneumonitis can be prevented, when aspiration pneumonitis takes places it is almost always caused from medical negligence or medical malpractice.
Contact a Michigan Aspiration Pneumonitis / Mendelson's Syndrome Medical Malpractice Lawyer
If you or a family member have been a victim of a medical malpractice from an aspiration pneumonitis / mendelson's syndrome, you should contact our office immediately to discuss your case. There are strict time limitations for filing medical malpractice cases in Michigan and if you wait too long, your case may be barred forever. Call us now at (800) 606-1717.
You should also request our FREE BOOK, "The Ultimate Michigan Medical Malpractice Handbook," which explains the legal process in Michigan and what must be proven to win your case. We will send out the book immediately to you.
We handle Michigan medical malpractice cases in Adrian, Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Bay City, Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, Canton, Clinton Township, Dearborn, Detroit, Eastpointe, East Lansing, Farmington Hills, Ferndale, Flint, Garden City, Grand Rapids, Grosse Pointe, Hazel Park, Holland, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kentwood, Lansing, Marquette, Midland, Monroe, Mount Clements, Muskegon, Novi, Oak Park, Okemos Owosso, Pontiac, Port Huron, Portage, Rochester, Roseville, Royal Oak, Saginaw, St. Clair Shores, Shelby Township, Southtgate, Southfield, Sterling Heights, Taylor, Troy, Utica, Warren, Waterford, Westland, Wyoming, Ypsilanti, Zeeland Alcona County, Alger County, Allegan County, Alpena County, Atrim County, Arenac County, Baraga County, Barry County, Bay County, Benzie County, Berrien County, Branch County, Calhoun County, Cass County, Charlevoix County, Cheboygan County, Chippewa County, Clare, County, Clinton County, Crawford County, Delta County, Dickinson County, Eaton County, Emmet County, Gladwin County, Genesee, Gogebic County, Grand Traverse County, Gratiot County, Hillsdale County, Houghton County, Huron County, Ingham County, Ionia County, Iosco County, Iron County, Isabella County, Jackson County, Kalamazoo County, Kalkaska County, Kent County, Keweenaw County, Lake County, Lapeer County, Leelanau County, Lenawee County, Livingston County, Luce County, Mackinac County, Macomb County, Manistee County, Marquette County, Mason County, Mecosta County, Menominee County, Midland County, Missaukee County, Montcalm County, Montmorency County, Muskegon County, Monroe County, Newaygo County, Oakland County, Oceana County, Ogemaw County ,Ontonagon County, Osceola County, Oscoda County, Otsego County, Presque Isle County, Ottawa County, Roscommon County, Saginaw County, Saint Joseph County, Sanilac County, Schoolcraft County, Shiawassee County, St. Clair County, Tuscola County, Van Buren County, Washtenaw County, Wayne County, Wexford County and all Michigan cities and counties. We handle Michigan medical malpractice cases involving misdiagnosis, failure to diagnose, wrongful death, emergency room errors, surgery mistakes, anesthesia injuries, failure to diagnose cancer, gallbladder surgery, bariatric and gastric bypass surgery, medication errors, pharmacy, meningitis, pneumonia, lasik surgery, aortic aneurysm, plastic surgery, cosmetic surgery, strokes, pulmonary embolism, blindness, cauda equina syndrome, oral cancer, blood clots, hip dysplasia, hospital falls, spinal surgery, heart attacks, hospital infections, chiropractor injuries, podiatrist mistakes, and all other medical negligence cases.
