Fleet Colonoscopy Lawsuit

by admin on January 7th, 2010

Doctors frequently recommend colonoscopies to screen for colon cancer, pre-cancerous polyps and other abnormalities in their patients. But before you make an appointment for your exam, you should also know some of the risks in this procedure. If you or a loved one has suffered kidney failure please contact us today for a free consultation and deadlines for filing a Fleet colonoscopy lawsuit.

Fleet Kidney Damage due to Bowel Cleansing Preparation

During a colonoscopy exam, doctors will insert a long thin tube (colonoscope) with a small camera attached in the patient’s colon through the rectum. In order to see the colon clearly, it must be clear of any bowels. Patients preparing for a colonoscopy use a bowel cleansing solution one to two days prior to the procedure.

Studies have shown that a number of patients who used a particular bowel-cleansing laxative called Fleet Phospho-Soda developed acute kidney injury. This condition, which is called acute phosphate nephropathy, occurred when the sediments from the oral laxative remained in the kidney, hindering the kidney’s ability to do its job of filtering toxins from the blood. As a result, the toxins re-circulated through the body and the kidneys began to fail. Patients suffering irreversible kidney damage required dialysis or transplant.

The FDA has issued a warning about Fleet Phospho-Soda, and the company has removed it from stores as an over the counter preparation. The FDA now recommends that patients do not use any oral phosphate solution (OSP) for bowel cleaning before a colonoscopy.

Cleanliness of Colonoscope

The colonoscope can take pictures of the inside of the colon, which a doctor can view on a monitor during the exam. The colonoscope can also collect samples for biopsies, remove polyps or cauterize areas to stop bleeding. But questions arise on whether all of the parts of the instrument can be thoroughly cleaned. Over the last few years, a number of hospitals have notified patients that they may be at risk for infectious diseases such as hepatitis C, which was transferred from one patient to another via improperly cleaned colonoscopes.

Other Complications

After the procedure, patients may feel bloating, which comes from the insertion of air into the colon during the procedure. This feeling should subside within a few hours. Patients may also experience some bleeding, especially if a polyp was removed. A rare but serious complication occurs when the colonoscope punctures the colon or rectal wall. When this happens, surgical repair is required.

For more information please call us or fill out our online contact form and a Fleet Phospho-soda laxative attorney at Fields Law Firm will explain your legal options.