A surgeon from Atlanta-based Resurgens Orthopaedics was cleared of allegations of negligence after a patient contracted a postsurgery infection that caused him to lose part of his foot, according to Law.com.
Six notes:
1. In 2014, Shan Traub, MD, performed surgery on Bryan Canady to repair a torn Achilles tendon in his right foot. The surgeon reattached the tendon using an anchor and swivel lock device. Nine days later, Dr. Traub removed the sutures and fitted the patient with a removable controlled ankle movement boot.
2. In a follow-up visit more than a week later, Dr. Traub noticed that the incision appeared to be infected, most likely because of Mr. Canady "wearing his surgical boot without a sock," the defense said, according to court documents filed Aug. 18.
3. Dr. Traub said he tried to save the Achilles tendon repair and clear the infection with "antibiotics, irrigation and debridement procedure and wound care," but Mr. Canady ultimately required surgical removal of the hardware and a muscle graft, according to the defense's portion of the pretrial order.
4. Mr. Canady lost part of his heel bone and has been unable to drive commercially ever since, his attorney said. Mr. Canady owned and drove an 18-wheel tractor-trailer.
5. On Dr. Traub's website, a statement tells patients that "sutures come out in about 10 days," and he took them out after nine days.
6. In siding with Dr. Traub, the jury affirmed that infections are a known complication of surgery and that the surgeon was very attentive to his patient, according to court documents.