A Massachusetts superior court jury says anesthesiologist Kwok Wei Chan, MD, is not liable for his patient's death following a failed intubation.
Joan Lazaros presented for a right axillary lymph node biopsy at the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center in Worcester in November 2003. Dr. Chan paralyzed her breathing and attempted intubation with a laryngeal mask airway, according to court records.
His repeated attempts at intubation failed, however, which caused Ms. Lazaros's airway to swell and close. She became cyanotic due to suffocation, court records show. Dr. Chan then performed an emergency tracheotomy.
Ms. Lazaros was discharged from the medical center 5 days later, but reportedly suffered bilateral pneumothorax, trismus and edema to her lungs, surgical emphysema of the upper chest, neck, face, orbits and head, bleeding and incision of the thyroid gland. She died close to a year following her discharge.
Her husband sued Dr. Chan, accusing him of failing to use an alternative anesthesia treatment and claiming the provider did not discuss intubation options with his wife or warn her of the risks associated with LMA use. He sought at least $20,000 in damages, court documents show.
The jury, however, sided with the defense's argument that Dr. Chan's use of an LMA maintained the standard of care. Defense attorneys conceded that fiber-optic intubation was a viable option, but not a requirement. They also said Ms. Lazaros's condition did not contraindicate intubation and the use of general anesthesia.
Attorneys for Dr. Chan and the Lazaros family did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
Daniel Cook
