Hospital halts stomach-staple operations after death
BOSTON, Massachusetts (AP) -- Brigham and Women's Hospital has stopped performing a type of stomach-stapling surgery after a staple gun apparently misfired during an operation and the patient died, officials reported.
Chief medical officer Andy Whittemore said Wednesday the hospital is reviewing all factors that may have contributed to the death last month of Ann Marie Simonelli, including the staple gun.
"In the meantime, there are few words available to define our sorrow," Whittemore said in a statement.
Simonelli, 38, died at the hospital October 23, two days after trying to combat obesity by having her stomach stapled in a laparoscopic procedure, which involves a small incision and a scope that lets the surgeon look inside. The procedure differs from open gastric bypass, which requires a large incision.
Hospital spokesman Vincent Petrini said laparoscopic procedures would be halted during the review. The misfiring equipment was reported to the Food and Drug Administration, Petrini said.
Dr. David Lautz, who performed the operation, has not been disciplined. He did not immediately return a call for comment Wednesday.
Brigham and Women's performs 100 to 200 gastric bypass surgeries a year, according to the state.
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