Posted on 09/10/2014 3:49:35 AM PDT by iowamark
EXCLUSIVE: The late comedian went to Yorkville Endoscopy for a routine endoscopy on Aug. 28, but a doctor — who arrived with Rivers' entourage — offered to perform a biopsy after another doctor noticed 'something' on the entertainer's vocal chords, a medical source told the Daily News.
The routine surgical procedure Joan Rivers was supposed to undergo turned deadly when a doctor who arrived at the clinic with the legendary comic’s entourage performed an unplanned biopsy on her vocal cords, a medical source who was briefed on the case told The News.
Such a procedure is not supposed to be performed outside of a hospital, according to medical experts.
The Aug. 28 biopsy at Yorkville Endoscopy, an E. 93rd St. clinic that usually only deals with digestive issues, caused Rivers' vocal chords to seize — a condition doctors call a laryngospasm — cutting off her air supply, the source said.
“A biopsy like that should only be done in a hospital setting,” the source said.
“If she had been in a hospital when it happened, she might have been okay,” the source said.
Rivers’ doctor — who identified himself as an ear, nose and throat specialist — asked if he could use their instruments when the clinic’s doctor noticed "something" on Rivers’ vocal chords, according to the source.
“He asked and they let him,” the source said. “A huge no-no.”
The source added that the “Fashion Police” star had only signed off on an endoscopy — not the far more dangerous biopsy of her vocal chords...
(Excerpt) Read more at nydailynews.com ...
This was done at a "private" clinic, of which there are many (still) on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. I imagine LA is the same, although I have no personal knowledge about the West coast.
As I recall, Steve McQueen was pretty much dying anyway. He went to a quack Mexican clinic out of pure desperation.
The other factor is age. I've seen people get healed by surgeries, procedures, hospital time etc. But I've also seen people end up far worse (sometimes dead) from things that went wrong or didn't heal. With age, it takes longer for the body to heal. Oftentimes one procedure will set off a chain of other problems.
Joan Rivers was 81. An elective procedure, away from backup emergency medical care, under anesthesia? It does seem like a recipe for disaster.
So even though you mention your biopsy, you’re saying that is what is typically used for the endoscopy?
I had a couple of those (stomach and esophagus) over the years, but just under local anesthetic.
> a doctor who arrived at the clinic with the legendary comic’s entourage performed an unplanned biopsy on her vocal cords,
Hey, everybody, come on over and operate on Joan Rivers. It’s fun!
Yer right. Doctors, never never never treat a VIP or celebrity. You’ll get burned!!
I understand where it was done. That is my point.
The attractive thing about these “surgical” suites is that you do not have to rub elbows with the great unwashed masses. For celebrities this outweighs the potential dangers. They do not like feeling swamped by “fans” when are in these situations. I get that.
For the folks that think these surgical suites are “better” than going to the hospital for minor surgeries, consider this: These private suites do not have to meet State and Federal regulatory standards for cleanliness and post-op infections. They are not considered “hospitals.” The inspection standards do not exist.
Sure, there are insurance issues and standards. And certainly the doctors and practitioners have to be licensed. But the standards for support staff, anesthesia, and other issues are set by the doctor, not an independent authority.
My point is that if Joan Rivers worked with a Dr in a hospital setting she would, most likely, be alive today because the person messing with her vocal cords would never have touched her during that session.
It doesn’t mean that she would not have arrested in the hospital. She might have died a day or so later. But my point is that people think these privately run surgical suites are more convenient and professional are really in for a shock when they learn the real story is about Doctor’s profit rather than patient service.
So she brought her own doctor with her, who forced his way into the routine procedure to do something unscheduled that wasn't originally agreed to, and should never have been done in an out-patient environment.
First, who is this doctor (Michael Jackson comes to mind here) and wouldn't he/she be the culpable one?
Hughes was more than rich and famous. He had crippling OCD and probably some other severe neuroses. Didn’t you see “The Aviator”?
Yes, I get all my information from Leonardo DiCaprio movies; how did you know?
The point I was making - as someone who has had a fascination with Hughes since the 1970s - is that he was not treated properly by doctors because of his mental illness and wealth and strong personality which defied any and all interventions. I don’t believe he was ever evaluated by a psychiatrist but was constantly given drugs by flunkie Dr. Feelgoods. Even Jean Peters, who on occasion, in complete despair, would invade his rooms at the Beverly Hill Hotel and beg him to seek decent medical care.
Rich people are different than you and me. Well, me, anyway.
1) endoscopies are “general”. In the old days apparently there were some that were given “light” sedation or none that would keep them awake. However, it is never “local” - that is for local areas that need to be excised.
2) biopsies are done all the time in endoscopies, just apparently not up in the larynx area.
This actually is aggravating for me, because I have to see both a GE and an ENT for things that are really caused by the same GI thing. Now I may even have to see a pulmonologist (seeing one now, but not sure the cause yet) because of the GI reflux.
It’s not local. Locals numb a particular area for actual “surgery”, such as in your mouth for tooth procedures or in vasectomies or external biopsies.
These are not “surgical suites”. They are testing clinics, basically.
My GE has his own attached to his practice, and my previous GE did too, part of their GE practice albeit that one was directly part of a hospital.
They are not for surgery. They are for performing more-complex tests that require anesthesia. And we commoners frequent them.
Are you also against independent radiology clinics? Because I’ve had things injected in me there that could cause problems, including radiation in the GI tract or veins, and lord knows people can go crazy in those MRI tubes.
A week before she died I had my first ever endoscopy scheduled, for tomorrow morning at 8:45. I am a little nervous. They called yesterday to confirm and I had several questions about the anesthetic and if someone would be attending me throughout. They answered everything to my satisfaction. Wish me luck.
Any place that performs invasive procedures that does not have to play by “Joint Commission” rules I would avoid like the plague you might get there.
D*mn them all for killing a true American treasure.
I hope Melissa sues the clinic and the Dr. who did the bio for every last penny they have, the clinic is forced to close and the doctor loses his license.
Was the Dr. a Muzzie by any chance?
I’m sure more will come out about this and we shall see.
I have no idea what the Joint Comm is but I’m sure most of these places are under regulation.
I have not had a problem with any of them. I’ve been through it many, many times, as have my parents and they are nearing Rivers’ age.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.