Patient sues surgeon and Allina Health for allegedly removing the wrong organ during surgery
A woman in Minnesota has filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against Allina Health and an affiliated doctor after she claims the wrong organ was extracted during a surgery in 2022. She’s seeking $50,000 in damages.
The alleged victim, not named in court documents, said she arrived at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, part of the Allina Health system, on March 24, 2022, complaining of pain and was later admitted for a suspected abscess or rupture of her spleen. Clinicians recommended the organ be removed, and surgery was scheduled for March 28.
She said she met with the surgeon, Devon Callahan, MD, the morning of the procedure to go over the risks of the operation necessary to remove her diagnosed spleen infection, which was at risk of rupture. However, the lawsuit contends Callahan accidentally removed the patient’s left kidney instead of her spleen during the open laparotomy.
Post-surgery notes confirmed an “intact spleen” was removed, but the plaintiff said that was never the case. She remained in the hospital for two months after the procedure as a result of the wrong organ being removed, facts outlined in court documents claim.
A CT scan mentioned in the lawsuit, conducted after the surgery, confirmed the spleen was never extracted. The incident is being called medical battery and medical malpractice by her lawyers.
Further, as a result of the botched surgery, the woman said she’s since been diagnosed with kidney disease that requires dialysis treatment.
Allina Health vows to defend itself in court
In a statement to media outlets, Allina Health said it is aware of the lawsuit but cannot discuss details of patient care. However, a spokesperson added that “the court filings don’t accurately reflect the full picture of the patient’s condition or the life-saving medical care provided. We intend to vigorously defend, in court, the care that was provided."
Callahan was licensed to practice medicine in Minnesota until 2023 and remains a practicing physician in California. After an investigation by local FOX 9, journalists said they were unable to find any record of disciplinary actions levied against Callahan in either state.
The alleged victim named in the lawsuit is seeking to have her legal fees paid, in addition to the $50,000 in compensation.
Chad is an award-winning writer and editor with over 15 years of experience working in media. He has a decade-long professional background in healthcare, working as a writer and in public relations.