After a Texas woman was found to have cervical dysplasia in 2003, her gynecologist performed a loop excision of the transitional zone (LETZ) procedure, during which the bladder was punctured. This went unnoticed, and after complaining to her gynecologist, she was referred to a urologist, who discovered a bladder perforation and diagnosed a vesicovaginal fistula, which was surgically repaired. 

The woman sued her gynecologist, claiming it was negligent to puncture the bladder and then fail to note the puncture. She also claimed he failed to properly dissect the cervix, removed excessive cervical tissue, and failed to use the proper size loop. 

The physician claimed there was no evidence that any negligence caused any of the injuries, as she had been informed that a bladder injury was a risk of the surgery. A defense verdict was returned.

Ms. Collins is an attorney specializing in medical malpractice in Long Beach, CA.
She welcomes feedback on this column via email to 

After a Texas woman was found to have cervical dysplasia in 2003, her gynecologist performed a loop excision of the transitional zone (LETZ) procedure, during which the bladder was punctured. This went unnoticed, and after complaining to her gynecologist, she was referred to a urologist, who discovered a bladder perforation and diagnosed a vesicovaginal fistula, which was surgically repaired.