Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Man alleges broken tool left in knee

Lawsuit filed against hospital and doctors

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By TERRY SMITH
Express Staff Writer

A Sun Valley man has filed a lawsuit against two Ketchum physicians alleging that a broken surgical device was left in his knee when he had surgery in 2007.

The lawsuit was filed in November in Blaine County 5th District Court by David Robrahn against doctors Anthony M. Buoncristiani and Delmer J. Pletcher. Also named in the lawsuit are Sawtooth Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, where Buoncristiani and Pletcher practice, and St. Luke's Wood River Medical Center, where the surgery was performed.

Robrahn is seeking unspecified monetary damages in excess of $10,000 for medical expenses, physical impairment, pain and suffering, mental anguish and "severe emotional distress."

Robrahn, represented by the Twin Falls attorney firm of Pedersen and Whitehead, claims in the lawsuit that Buoncristiani, assisted by Pletcher, performed knee surgery on him on Dec. 4, 2007. During the next 10 weeks, Robrahn claims he suffered joint pain and stiffness, swelling, pain and decreased range of motion in his knee.

Robrahn alleged that an X-ray performed on Feb. 11, 2008, showed a "foreign body." Buoncristiani performed surgery on the knee the following day and removed "what appeared to be part of a broken Freer elevated device" from Robrahn's knee, the complaint alleges.

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A Freer elevator is a commonly used lever-type surgical tool for manipulation of tissue in small spaces.

Terry Smith: tsmith@mtexpress.com