Woman accuses surgeon of botching attempt to remove fetuses from uterus
Woman accuses surgeon of botching attempt to remove fetuses from uterus
Evacuation procedure attempted at IHS facility after fetuses died during pregnancy
A Pine Ridge woman is accusing Indian Health Service of medical negligence after a surgeon perforated her uterus during a procedure to remove two fetuses.
Thea McCauley and her partner, David Pourier, went to the IHS facility in Pine Ridge on Aug. 18, 2022 to have a suction dilation and curettage procedure to evacuate her uterus of 12-week-old twin fetuses that were deceased, according to a lawsuit filed in federal court. The procedure lasted about 20 minutes. They were told by a surgeon who performed the procedure that it was a “complete success” and that the removed fetuses were being sent to lab for testing.
“The plaintiffs were emotionally spent, but based upon the surgeon’s specific assurance, plaintiffs did reasonably rely upon said information and advice, much to their later detriment, horror, anxiety and damage,” the lawsuit says.
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