Thermal Spread Injuries
 

Thermal spread injuries are caused by instruments or devices that use heat to cauterize tissues and vessels during surgery.  The word "spread" means that the heat can also unintentionally extend to adjacent areas and cauterize them too.  The thermal spread might only be a millimeter or two.  However, that might be enough to inadvertently burn through a patient's healthy bowel, ureter, or bladder, causing spillage, fistulas, or obstructions.  You would think that it would be easy for plaintiffs to win cases involving thermal spread.  However, that's not always the case.  Read more.