Airman Loses Legs After Gallbladder Surgery



Posted By: Emily Cyr 3 hrs ago



SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- An airman has lost parts of both legs after routine gallbladder surgery at Travis Air Force Base went terribly wrong.

Airman 1st Class Colton Read was supposed to get his gallbladder removed laparoscopically at Travis' hospital July 9.

"Doctors told me, Colton's aortic valve, which carries blood through the body was accidently nicked during the procedure, and complications resulted after that," said Read's wife, Jessica.

"They waited too long to get him to another hospital which could have saved his legs. He nearly died," said Jessica Read.

Read says Travis waited about 8 hours to transport the airman to UCD. Once he arrived there doctors told the family that damage from the lack of blood required amputation.

Travis officials won't comment on specifics, only saying a "serious medical incident" occurred at the hospital. The case is under investigation by the base, a national hospital accrediting commission and the U.S. surgeon general

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