Alleged Fentanyl Overdose During Dental Surgery Leaves Miami Woman with Brain Damage

Lawsuit Claims Unnecessary Dental Procedure Resulted in Severe Consequences

USA: A Miami woman, Maria Lugo Querales, is now under 24-hour care with brain damage following a dental procedure in Marble Falls, Texas, where she was allegedly given a substantial dose of fentanyl. The incident occurred on May 10, 2022, during what is described as an “unnecessary” dental surgery, leading to severe health complications.

Anaesthesia Mishap and Lawsuit Details

Maria Lugo Querales nearly lost her life during the dental procedure, during which she underwent anaesthesia administered by Dr. Jerry Teague. The lawsuit, filed by Lugo’s husband, Luis Espana, accuses Dr. Teague of administering excessive amounts of anaesthesia drugs without intubating her first. Dr. Lane Freeman and Dr. Stuart Nunnally, along with their clinic, Nunnally, Freeman, and Owens, are also named in the civil lawsuit.

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Lugo initially visited the dental practice in Florida for a procedure related to “alleged ‘cavitations’ and the extraction of an asymptomatic root canal-treated tooth,” according to the lawsuit. The sedative midazolam and the anaesthetic lidocaine were also administered alongside the fentanyl, as reported by the San Antonio Express-News, citing a police report.

Anaesthesiologist’s Personal Circumstances

Dr. Teague, who served as an anaesthesiologist at the Texas clinic, administered the drugs to Lugo a day after he had gone missing and failed to return following an evening walk. Teague’s wife revealed that he had recently been diagnosed with cancer and had less than a year to live, as mentioned in the lawsuit. Despite his personal circumstances, Teague went to work the next day.

Maria Lugo was Teague’s only patient that day, and neither Teague nor the other dentists received her informed consent for the anaesthesia, according to the lawsuit. Teague failed to intubate Lugo, leading to an overdose on the anaesthesia drugs. The scheduled dental surgery was canceled as Lugo was rushed to St. David’s Medical Center in Austin. Dr. Teague passed away two weeks later from cancer.

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History of Suspension and Subsequent Hiring

Dr. Teague had a history of suspension in 2016 and was barred from practicing medicine for three years by the State Board of Dental Examiners due to a positive hair follicle test for fentanyl and midazolam. After his suspension ended in 2019, he was hired by the Marble Falls clinic where the incident occurred.

Lugo, influenced by a YouTube video featuring the Austin-area practice by Dr. Ludwig Johnson, sought treatment at the Texas clinic. Espana is seeking unspecified damages from the dental clinic after reaching a confidential settlement with Teague’s estate last month.

The tragic incident raises questions about patient safety during dental procedures and the importance of proper medical oversight.