Final answer:
If a Kelly clamp is left inside a patient after a cholecystectomy, it can lead to serious complications and legal consequences.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a Kelly clamp is left inside a patient who underwent a cholecystectomy, it can lead to serious complications and legal consequences. Leaving a foreign object like a Kelly clamp inside a patient is considered a surgical error known as a retained foreign body.
In this case, the patient, Roberta, developed symptoms such as abdominal pain, fever, burning sensation during urination, and blood in her urine. These symptoms could indicate an infection or damage caused by the retained Kelly clamp.
Legally, a patient can file charges against the surgeon and the medical institution for negligence, medical malpractice, and failure to meet the standard of care. The patient may seek compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and any long-term consequences resulting from the retained Kelly clamp.