Investigating the effect of selecting delivery method on medical malpractice incidence in the specialized field of obstetrics and gynaecology in complaints referred to medical forensic expert commission during 2011-2012

Background and aims: Complaints of obstetrics and gynecology specialist are on the top of complaint from doctors and these have been increasing with increased population and births. In this regard, parallel to industrialization of life, tendency to cesarean against vaginal delivery has been increased in patients. All the cases of complaint increased from 1995 until 2010. In multiple studies and evaluation of complications of cesarean and vaginal delivery conducted in legal authorities like forensics due to patient and her relatives complains can have an effective role on selecting delivery method in specialists by creating virtue of working. Limited information is available on this study. We aimed to investigate the effect of selecting delivery method on medical malpractice incidence in the specialized field of obstetrics and gynecology. Methods: This is a descriptive-analytic study, and 913 cases of 2011 to 2012 who referred to Tehran forensics organization have been assessed and computer software SPSS was applied for data analysis. Our study was approved by the Ethical Committee of Forensic Medicine. Results: Of the total referred cases, 12.8% were in the field of obstetrics and gynecology in which 691 cases were obstetric and 222 cases related to gynecological. In 44.5% of cases, medical malpractice was confirmed and 2.3 of them were due to caesarian surgery. The rate of maternal injuries was more prevalent than babies and children, and most of complains were related to inexperience surgeons. Conclusion: As in our study, 2.3 of complaints were associated with cesarean patients and the rate of approved malpractice in cesarean was almost double the vaginal delivery. Furthermore, the rate of complains associated with mother in cesarean delivery has been twice the vaginal birth. The type of medical malpractice associated with type and method of delivery. In this study cesarean surgery delivery is pioneer. Discussion: Considering the patient and fetus situation and patients’ education selecting the type and method of delivery has an important role in prevention of patients’ complaint to surgeons from forensic view and creation of more awareness among obstetrics and gynecology specialists about medical mistakes and special training that should be given to those joining with these specialties.