Objectives: Patient injuries in children can have lifelong effects on
the patient and a marked impact on the whole family. The aim of this
study was to identify the errors and incidents leading to patient
injuries in pediatric otorhinolaryngology (ORL) by evaluating accepted
patient injury claims. Methods: The records of all accepted patient
injury claims in ORL between 2001 and 2011 were searched from the
nationwide Patient Insurance Centre registry. Pediatric injuries were
reviewed and evaluated in detail, and factors contributing to injury
were identified. Results: In the 10-year study period, 17 (7.6%) of the
223 patient injuries occurred in children, and of these, 15 (88%) were
considered operative care. The median age of the patients was 8 years
(range 3–16 years). All operations were performed as daytime elective
surgery and by a fully trained specialist in 93% of the cases. One-half
of the cases were routine surgeries for common ORL diseases. The most
common incidences were incomplete surgery, retained gauze or foreign
body, injury to adjacent anatomic structure, and insufficient charts or
instructions (each occurred in 3 cases). The most frequent consequence
was burn (n = 4). One child died because of post-tonsillectomy
hemorrhage. Conclusions: Patient injuries in pediatric ORL are strongly
related to surgery. Most injuries occurred after routine operations by a
fully trained specialist. Clinicians should be aware of the most likely
scenarios resulting in claims.