Perforation of Colon Occurs During Attempted Biopsy of Ovary- Resolved for $250,000

A 54-year-old woman with a history of vaginal bleeding underwent an ultrasound which showed a complex cyst in her right ovary, and was thought to be a good candidate for an ovarian biopsy. The plaintiff underwent a hysteroscopy followed by an attempted laparoscopic biopsy of the ovarian mass, but upon entering, severe adhesions were noted. Her physician biopsied what was thought to be the ovarian mass but which was in fact a colonic diverticula. She was discharged that evening, but returned the following day with complaints of severe abdominal pain. A bowel perforation was diagnosed. She underwent a partial bowel resection. She slowly recovered, but developed a ventral hernia, which required further surgery, and also suffered from depression.