A patient is suing Loyola University Medical Center and two of its physicians, alleging medical negligence led to a surgical infection.
Harry Rutz Jr. filed a lawsuit Aug. 25 in Cook County Circuit Court against Loyola University Medical Center, Dr. Douglas Anderson, and Dr. Kevin Swong, alleging medical negligence.
According to the complaint, on Sept. 3, 2013, Rutz was admitted to Loyola University Medical Center, where an imaging study of his head revealed a large intracranial mass.
Two days later, Rutz underwent a craniotomy and surgical removal of the mass, performed by Anderson, and a hemovac drain was left in place for drainage of the operative site at the conclusion of the procedure, the suit says.
On Sept. 8, 2013, the lawsuit states, an unknown resident physician attempted to remove the hemovac drain but he encountered resistance and had to apply significant force, resulting in the hemovac drain breaking, leaving a 3.3-centimeter segment inside Rutz's skull.
Rutz was discharged from the medical center later that day, but on Oct. 16, 2013, he returned to the center, complaining of drainage from his surgical wound, the suit says. Rutz was then diagnosed with a surgical site infection and intracranial abscess and was taken back to the OR for craniotomy for wound washout Oct. 17, 2013, where the hemovac drain fragment was found and removed, according to the suit.
Rutz seeks judgment in excess of the jurisdictional limits of the court. He is represented by attorney Elizabeth A. Kaveny of Burke Wise Morrissey & Kaveny in Chicago.
Cook County Circuit Court case number 2015L008653.