General Surgery

An expert may review operative notes, estimated blood loss, vital-sign trends, serial hemoglobin and hematocrit measurements, transfusion records, drain output, imaging, anticoagulant use, and subsequent procedures. These records can help assess when postoperative bleeding became clinically apparent, possible sources of bleeding, and how the condition was evaluated and treated.

Yes. When a dispute involves electrosurgical energy, the review may include the operative technique, location and manner of device use, equipment records when available, documented tissue injury, and the timing of postoperative findings. The expert may assess whether the claimed injury is medically consistent with the surgical event and whether other clinical explanations are supported by the record.

A separate critical care expert may be appropriate when the disputed issues focus on prolonged mechanical ventilation, organ failure, hemodynamic support, or other complex intensive care management. A general surgeon may still address perioperative deterioration and surgical complications leading to intensive care when those issues fall within the surgeon’s training and experience.