Death occurs in 1 in 15,000 tonsillectomies. Doesn’t that tell you that even the most simple of surgeries can result in death? No surgery is routine regardless of the simplicity. Complications, including death, can and does result in any surgical procedure to patients every day.
I had carpal tunnel surgery in my right hand. 20 minute operation. Local anesthesia. The doctor made the incision and all hell broke loose. Seems I wasn’t numb and felt the scalpel cut as if I had sliced my hand with a utility knife at work. Went into full blown shock.
They rushed an anesthesiologist into the operating room who then administered atropine into my vein, counteracting the shock. The tube containing the atropine was about the size of a typical home flashlight. I soaked the table that I laid upon, myself, and the gown I wore as well, due to breaking into a full blown body sweat. I lost control of my ability to breath and instantly became overwhelmed with panic/fear due to loss of said function(s).
The nurse patted me on the head as they rolled me into the recovery room, mentioning something about almost losing me. It was basically incompetence on behalf of the doctor who neither tested me for numbness, nor waited long enough for the effect of the anesthesia to take, or failed to administer sufficient anesthesia in the first place. I was pissed plenty when I realized what happened and how close I came to buying the farm.
Minor surgery... just saying.
Anything can result in death. The question is was the hospital at fault? Many times they are.