The Worst That Could Happen …

LINCOLN, Neb. (CN) - Doctors performed an unnecessary hysterectomy after misdiagnosing a glove left inside a woman during previous surgery as a cancerous cyst, she claims in court.

Syndi Miske sued the Pope Paul VI Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction, the Alegent Health Creighton University Medical Center, Dr. Kristina Pakiz et al. in Federal Court.

Miske claims Pakiz performed several fertility-related treatments on her in 2011, the last of which was a six-hour surgery on Dec. 30, 2011, to enhance her chances at becoming pregnant.

"Subsequent to the surgery, Syndi remained at Creighton for three nights and immediately began suffering significant hot flashes, night sweats, and bloating, pain and discomfort in her abdomen, which did not abate," the complaint states. "She was told by Dr. Pakiz and the Institute that these were common post-surgical issues."

Almost a year later, Miske had not become pregnant and was still suffering discomfort. She claims that a radiologist told her she had a large cyst that resembled ovarian cancer, and referred her to an oncologist.

Miske said she was told to seek treatment in Montana and was prescribed birth control pills to control her menopausal symptoms.

"After enduring continuous abdominal pain and difficulties with gynecological symptoms, and being subjected to repeated intrusive diagnostic procedures, investigations and treatments, Syndi Miske underwent a total hysterectomy on September 4, 2013, because the cyst was judged too large to remove laparoscopically," the complaint states.

"During the surgery, a non-latex surgical glove containing approximately 300 mL of clear fluid, tied off in a knot ('foreign object'), was discovered to have been left inside her abdominal cavity by one or more of the doctors and nurses in the operating room at Creighton on December 30, 2011. Surrounding the knot tied in the glove was a section of focally fibrotic fibroadipose tissue that was adherent to the glove."

Miske seeks damages for professional negligence and failure to obtain informed consent. Her husband seeks damages for loss of consortium. They are represented by Kevin R. McManaman, with Knudsen, Berkheimer, Richardson & Endacott.

Named as defendants are Drs. Kristina Pakiz, Kathryn Karges, and Christine L. Cimo Hemphill, Pope Paul VI Institute Physicians PC, Pope Paul VI Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction, Alegent Health Creighton University Medical Center, Alegent Creighton Health, and John Does 1-9.

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