Propofol abuse among healthcare workers: an analysis of criminal cases using the database of the Supreme Court of South Korea's judgments.

Background: Due to its abuse potential, propofol has been classified as a controlled substance since February 2011 in South Korea. Healthcare workers are exposed to propofol abuse considering their easy access to this substance in hospitals. Therefore, we aimed to investigate propofol abuse among healthcare workers through the database of the Supreme Court in South Korea.

An Analysis of Judicial Cases Concerning Analgesic-Related Medication Errors in the Republic of Korea.

Objectives: Analgesic-related medication errors can be a threat to patient safety. This study aimed to identify and describe medication errors that can cause serious adverse drug events (ADEs) related to analgesic use.

Methods: This retrospective, observational, medicolegal study analyzed closed cases concerning complications induced by medication errors involving 3 commonly used analgesics: opioids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and acetaminophen (AAP).

Medical malpractice related to dialysis and vascular access: An analysis of lawsuit judgements in South Korea.

Background: Hemodialysis is a life-saving renal replacement treatment for patients with chronic kidney disease, but various complications occur during hemodialysis and associated procedures. This study was conducted to analyze the specific characteristics of hemodialysis-related complications and malpractice that have led to legal disputes.

Methods: Judgments from cases litigated between 1991 and 2019 due to complications related to hemodialysis or vascular access were analyzed using the database of the Korean Supreme Court Judgment System.

Medico-legal implications for the colon perforation during colonoscopy.

Colon perforation is the most serious complication of colonoscopy, and tends to be considered as malpractice. The aim of this study was to identify the characteristics and causes of medical accidents by analyzing lawsuit cases on colon perforation during colonoscopy. We collected judgment results that were ruled from 2005 to 2015 using the keyword 'colonoscopy' in the 'Korea's Written Judgment Public Reading System' of the Supreme Court, and extracted the cases of colon perforation.

Analysis of endotracheal intubation-related judicial precedents in South Korea.

Background: Medical malpractice during endotracheal intubation can result in catastrophic complications. However, there are no reports on these severe complications in South Korea. We aimed to investigate the severe complications associated with endotracheal intubation occurring in South Korea, via medicolegal analysis.

Medicolegal lessons learned from thyroidectomy-related lawsuits: an analysis of judicial precedents in South Korea from 1998 to 2019.

Background: Thyroid cancer is one of the most common cancers in South Korea, and thyroidectomy is still frequently performed. As new diagnostic methods have led to a significant increase in the early detection of thyroid cancer worldwide, medical disputes related to thyroid surgery are also likely to increase. The purpose of this study was to investigate the causes of medical disputes related to thyroidectomy and to identify ways to prevent unnecessary disputes and malpractice.

Medicolegal Consideration to Prevent Medical Malpractice Regarding Opioid Administration: An Analysis of Judicial Opinion in South Korea.

Purpose: Although the use of opioids is increasing in South Korea, there have been no studies on the serious complications caused by the opioids. The aim of this study was to investigate the rare but serious complications through medicolegal analysis.

Materials And Methods: From January 1994 to December 2019, we retrospectively reviewed the closed cases of lawsuits involving the complications of opioids using the database of judgments of the Supreme Court of Korea.

Analysis of judicial precedent cases regarding epidural injection in chronic pain management in Republic of Korea.

Background: Although there is a low incidence of complications associated with epidural injections, pain physicians should still remain vigilant for potentially serious adverse outcomes. This study aimed to identify and describe the major complications of epidural injections.

Methods: This retrospective, observational, medicolegal study analyzed closed cases of precedents involving complications of epidural injections from January 1997 to August 2019 using the database of the Supreme Court of Korea's judgement system.

The Legal Doctrine on the Liability of Physicians in Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Involving Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

Background: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) involves severe pain and it is difficult to identify the exact cause or pathogenesis. Therefore, there are controversies regarding legal issues related to the establishment of damage in medical malpractice lawsuits involving CRPS. This study aimed to analyze malpractice lawsuits involving CRPS, which occurred after the disputed medical treatment, to provide information on the courts' opinion and characteristics of the cases.