A Twin City woman is complaining about alleged medical mistakes that she sacrificed a healthy left kidney.
In the lawsuit filed Friday, Wendy Rappaport of Plymouth accused surgeons and arena hospitals of medical malpractice and battery. The Arena says the court's application “doesn't accurately reflect the full photographs,” and plans to fight the case in court.
Rappaport was hospitalized at Abbott Northwestern in March 2022 and was scheduled for spleen removal surgery, the lawsuit states. After doctors recommended surgery, the lawsuit says it looked at the risk of treatment with her.
According to the lawsuit, doctors performed an open abdominal surgery procedure, during which time the trumpet “left kidney was removed in place of the spleen.” In a postoperative note, doctors said they had removed the intact spleen during the surgery, but postoperative CT scans showed her left kidney had been removed and the spleen tissue was still present, the lawsuit states.
Before the surgery, a CT scan showed that Rappaport's kidneys were “inconspicuous” and “inconspicuous,” according to the lawsuit. Rappaport disagreed with the removal of her left kidney, the documents say.
She stayed in the hospital until May 25, 2022 due to complications after kidney removal, Suit says. She also requires ongoing treatment, including dialysis, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit alleges that the doctor committed medical malpractice and medical battery. The lawsuit accused him of violating his duty of care, which he owes rapport, causing permanent and irreversible injuries. The arena health system is facing similar allegations. The medical professionals involved in the surgery also have a duty of care for her, the documents say.
Rappaport is looking for at least $50,000 in the case.
The affidavit filed by an Iowa City doctor says the arena surgeon “deviated from the medical standards that rely on Ms. Rappaport.”
Failure to identify the left kidney during the procedure was “a medical error” and “it doesn't happen unless there was negligence,” he wrote.
“Arena Health is aware of the lawsuit and has filed it by a healthcare professional. Although we will not discuss details of patient care due to privacy laws, the court application does not accurately reflect the patient's condition or the overall picture of the life-saving care provided.
In a statement Tuesday afternoon, a lawyer for Rappaport said:
Schmidt and Sarita's legal team represent Wendy Rappaport for the injuries she suffered as a result of unnecessary removal in negligence of her left kidney. The defendant was to remove the “sick” spleen, but removed the incorrect organ. As a result, Rappaport suffers not only from loss of his left kidney, but also permanent kidney damage, requiring specific treatments to maintain ongoing renal function. This was not the case with Mr. Rappaport before unnecessary kidney removal. On 5/16/2025, we launched a lawsuit on Ms. Rappaport seeking fair compensation for her injuries and future damages due to the defendant's medical malpractice and medical battery. The removal of false organs continues to have a deep and unnecessary impact on her life and health.
