Wisdom tooth surgery leads to teen’s death

Routine wisdom tooth surgery that ended in the death of a teenager in 2011 recently ended in a legal settlement of the case. The Baltimore Sun, reporting on the medical malpractice case recently, noted that 17-year-old Jennifer Michelle “Jenny” Olenick died after being deprived of oxygen during the procedure two years ago. The lack of oxygen to her brain caused her to lapse into a coma and die 10 days later. Her parents had sued the anesthesiologist, surgeon and medical practices involved in the procedure, claiming they failed to revive Michelle after her heart rate slowed to a dangerous level, cutting oxygen to her brain. The conditions and monetary value of the settlement were confidential. Read more about medical malpractice lawsuits.