Why Did My Child Have A Seizure After Surgery? Did His Doctor Cause It?

Being subjected to your child going through surgery is an anxiety producing experience, full of fears and what-ifs. Every parent waiting for surgery on their child to be over looks forward to their doctor emerging from the operating room to tell that that everything went well, and that their child is alright. Unfortunately, that reassurance from the doctor doesn’t always mean that there won’t be complications when their child rouses from the anesthesia. Side effects are often not encountered until the recovery process begins.  One such side effect is seizures. What do you do when your child has seizures following surgery?

What Is A Seizure And Why Did It Happen?

A seizure is the result of an episode of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The term "seizure" is often used interchangeably with "convulsion." Convulsions occur when a person's body shakes rapidly and uncontrollably. During convulsions, the person's muscles contract and relax repeatedly without the person being able to control the movements. There are many different types of seizures, varying in severity from little or no shaking, to an extreme amount of movement, which can be harmful to the patient and even others in close proximity. It can be very frightening for those who are unaccustomed to seeing seizures.

Seizures after surgery can be caused by a number of unpreventable things, including an undiagnosed seizure disorder like epilepsy, and should always be investigated by your child’s doctor. However, a seizure following your child’s surgery can also be a sign of complications or the possibility of errors made during the operation that may have been preventable.

Hypoxia And Anoxia: Signs And Symptoms

One cause of seizures following surgery is a lack of oxygen reaching the brain, a condition called hypoxia. Hypoxia that results in a complete depletion of oxygen is called anoxia. It is very dangerous and can even result in death. In addition to seizures, hypoxia and anoxia can also cause temporary memory loss, reduced ability to move the body, confusion, coma, difficulty talking and breathing, and brain death. These are extremely serious conditions and they require immediate medical attention. If your child is already home from the hospital when a seizure or other symptom occurs, call 911 right away for assistance.

Getting Help After The Medical Emergency Is Over

Ascertaining the cause of your child’s seizure after surgery is something that only an expert can determine. Whether it was caused by an underlying medical condition or by a doctor’s mistake or negligence, it is important that you consult with a medical professional to investigate. At Ross Feller Casey, we have medical doctors who are also attorneys on staff who can review your child’s medical files and determine if you have a case.

If your child suffered seizures or other symptoms of hypoxia after surgery, it may have been preventable and you may have a case of malpractice. Please contact Ross Feller Casey for a free consultation. Our firm never charges for our services unless a financial recovery is made.