Opinion ID: 1857537
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: surgery

Text: On April 24, 1991, Mary Chism was admitted to Midlands Community Hospital for a cholecystectomy, which is the surgical removal of the gallbladder. The surgery was performed by Dr. Allan S. Campbell, a general surgeon. Throughout the operation, Chism was unconscious as the result of a general anesthesia. Dr. Sandra Landmark, a board certified anesthesiologist, and Kay Timm, a certified registered nurse anesthetist, were responsible for applying the anesthesia to Chism. General anesthesia was administered to Chism using a process called endotracheal intubation. This procedure requires the insertion of a tube into a patient's trachea, through which tube anesthesia is administered. As a consequence of using endotracheal intubation, various pieces of equipment were placed in Chism's mouth. In her deposition, Chism testified that prior to her surgery an anesthesiologist asked her if she had any loose teeth, partials, dentures, or capped teeth, and the location of all her capped teeth. Chism further acknowledged that she was told a crown could be knocked loose and that therefore all crown locations had to be ascertained. Landmark stated in her affidavit that she informed Chism of the risk of damage to her teeth prior to the intubation procedure, although Chism denies receiving such information. Chism stated in her deposition that on April 25, 1991, the day after the surgery, she noticed that the inside of her lower lip was cut up pretty bad and that a tooth was loose on the upper left side of her mouth. Chism further testified that she visited her dentist, Dr. F.H. Tafoya, on May 6, and was informed that her No. 11 tooth was broken inside the gum area. Tafoya recommended a bridge, but attempted at that time to affix the crown to the tooth. Due to the unsuccessful results of this procedure, Chism had further work done on her tooth by Tafoya. At her deposition, Chism stated that her tooth eventually had to be removed, along with some bone, in 1992.