John F. O’Brien, III obtained a defense verdict for a gynecologic oncologist in Montgomery County. The plaintiffs alleged that the doctor negligently delayed in operating on a post operative partial small bowel obstruction after a total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo oopherectomy was performed for carcinoma in situ of the cervix. The defense contended that the doctor appropriately managed the patient’s post operative course in light of reassuring and improving abdominal symptoms, stable vital signs and given the patient’s pre-existing chronic renal failure, vascular access problems and hypertension. The patient unfortunately died six days post operatively. The defense successfully contended that the care was appropriate, within the standard of care and did not cause the patient’s death.
Following an eight day trial, the jury returned a verdict for the defense