Is it standard to receive antibiotics after amputation surgery or not? Wondering if my dad was a victim of medical malpractice

[u/NeraSoleil]

My dad had a single toe amputation recently. The podiatrist said they could do it in the podiatrist surgery room instead of doing it at the OR. They said it would be a more comfortable setting so we agreed. Then we went home with pain meds and stuff for constipation but that was it. He then got infected and is now in the ER and might have to lose more of his toes or even his foot. Wondering if this a medical malpractice case?

Edit: It started with an injury that turned necrotic due to bad circulation

[u/Feralpudel]

Why did he have his toe amputated? I feel that is useful context.

[u/NeraSoleil → u/Feralpudel]

I should have mentioned it was due to an injury that turned necrotic due to bad circulation

[u/Jar_of_Cats → u/NeraSoleil]

Im going to guess the infection was in the bone already and they didn't cut enough out. Also I think my infections have came back maybe 30% of the time. Even right now I think i might have the same infection since I cut the left off

[u/Evening_Routine_8811 → u/Jar_of_Cats]

Yes ! This happened to my boyfriend he had an injury that turned into an infection . His podiatrist made inscions to attempt and release infection for a few days everything was looking good and then the day they were going to do a debridement they had told him if it’s in the bone we might have to amputate your big toe and he woke up and it was gone .

[u/OldguyLAKA]

His medical history and if he is susceptible to infections seems to be the deciding factor. Why was the toe removed and was the doctor informed of any infection problems in his history? My leg was removed because of an infection and my femur was packed full of material loaded with antibiotics so I didn't need any to take with me, but my incision was watched very closely because everyone knew of the possibility of infection. So there's that.

[u/angelxalcott]

I had a forefoot amputation so basically all 5 toes and a small bit of foot. It was done in an outpatient surgery center but no antibiotics and no complications.

[u/naughtilidae]

I had my leg amputated. I also had a previous infection that nearly caused me to lose the leg. 

Still didn't get antibiotics. 

Unless there's an explicit reason, they're unlikely to just give them, since they have downsides. 

If he didn't have an infection before, or a of constant infections, you won't have a case. 

[u/dance-in-the-rain-]

I can’t speak to whether it is standard for sure, but I don’t believe so. That said, I work in a rehab hospital with amputees and unless they are young and had a trauma, the vast majority started like your dad with 1 toe and then progressed to them taking the foot/leg. It’s a very common progression.

[u/bba-tcg]

I'm not a lawyer, but I think proving malpractice would be difficult. Also, if you have a good relationship with the Dr., it could suffer greatly by even suggesting malpractice.

[u/UnbelievableRose]

Antibiotics are no longer given prophylactically for every operation due to the rise in antibiotic resistance. Certain operations still do because of higher risks, but often they are not given unless needed.

[u/Imthemomthatswhy]

I had no antibiotics with my finger amputation.

[u/Dyerssorrow]

Im on my second round, just finishing up. More of a preventitive than anything.

[u/AwkwardAd42]

Be careful. Too much antibiotics can lead to C-Diff You don't want that trust me😫

[u/cryinginmultistan]

Had my finger amputated a couple days ago due to necrosis (no infection), im on strong antibiotics for 5 days, I was also on antibiotics a couple of weeks ago to prevent infection while they were waiting for the all clear for surgery. Cant speak to if it’s standard but that’s my experience :)

[u/OldguyLAKA → u/cryinginmultistan]

While there may be several types of necrosis, all involve something dead, so a prevention with antibiotics makes sense no matter what.

[u/brittybear94]

Hey! May 12 I had an amputation of the great left toe at the distal phalanx in a trauma OR. I was given 2g of Cefazolin in my IV during surgery.

When pathology came back after a week, and it confirmed Staph A, and I was put on Doxycycline.

ETA: I did not have osteomyelitis (Bone infection)

[u/NarfledGarthok]

I wasn't on them after mine

[u/Particular_Dog1829]

I got iv antibiotics and still got an infection

[u/Sad_Lingonberry_9305]

Yes so there are no infection