The Surgery That Should've Never Happened | The Tragic Case of Michael Skolnik

After fainting at home, 22 year old Michael Skolnik was told he needed to soon undergo brain surgery to save his life. But after a botched procedure, Michael would spend the next 32 months in a vegetative state before passing away. It was only after this medical error when his family would discover the big secret his neurosurgeon was holding. And because of this discovery, the Michael Skolnik Medical Transparency Act was soon created - highlighting the importance of medical transparency, informed consent and patient advocacy.

I’m Petal Palmer and I bring you stories of medical cases and mysteries from around the world.

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TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Introduction
04:19 - Michael faints
05:41- Arrives at hospital
06:54 - CT scan finds colloid cyst
08:10 - Admitted into ICU
09:47 - Bad news
11:16 - Making decision
12:56 - Michael arrests during procedure
15:56 - Shocking update from PCP
18:09 - Michael signs consent for surgery
19:45 - Surgery gone wrong
23:00 - Craniotomy discovery
25:30 - Chronic complications
28:49 - Self-harm ideation (TW)
29:05 - Medical emergency
31:37 - Patty and David discoveries
34:09 - Informed consent
39:11 - Michael Skolnik Medical Transparency Act
41:46 - Medical malpractice lawsuit
44:47 - Patient advocacy awareness
45:50 - Conclusion

Disclaimer: I’m not a medical professional and nothing in this video is meant to be taken as medical advice. If you’re experiencing any health issues, speak with your physician.

#truecrime #medicalmalpractice #medicalerror

[PetalPalmer]

Hi everyone, please read: I am clarifying (from a message I received): that the doctor mentioned in the video (Dr. M) is allegedly RETIRED and is NOT working in the Glenwood springs area anymore or anywhere else at the moment. I received a message from a current employee who works at a clinic he previously worked at and I’ve been informed that their patients are currently unable to reach their care teams due to them receiving multiple calls and reviews. I do NOT condone the contact of any place in the Glenwood springs area. The purpose of this video was to raise awareness for Michael Skolnik’s story and to create discussion about medical transparency and informed consent. Please stop contacting any of those places.

[Ett.Gammalt.Bergtroll]

The fact that the assisting surgeon refused to attend because he objected to the necessity of the procedure should’ve automatically cancelled it. Absolutely insane.

[KensinTe]

The doctor's name is David Wayne Miller. Tons of other comments saying this but it deserves to be said as many times as possible. He does not deserve anonymity.

[dracofirex]

When I had a brain abscess at 12, I had two doctors fighting over my treatment. One wanted to operate, one wanted to use antibiotics to slowly fight the infection. Lots of back and forth. I didn't like the one who wanted to operate on me, she had a look in her eyes that made me anxious. The guy who wanted to use antibiotics then decided to really talk to me and ask me what I thought, what kind of option sounded best. He gave me a chance to advocate for myself in spite of being a kid. I will always be grateful for him letting me say my piece. I went the slow but steady antibiotic route and recovered. I really wish Michael would have had someone to advocate for him even half as much.

[cerasus]

I am a neurosurgeon, and I was utterly shocked after that dr saying on the phone "colloid cysts are very dangerous, you should come to ICU asap"
Like, wtf dude? Come on! 4.5 mm cyst... No hydrocephalus... Come on... Very wrong from the start.

[agnediciuniene]

I just wanted to add - there are no minor invasive brain procedures. Everything invading brain is serious.

[cheller]

As a nurse I’m disgusted at the number of other staff who must have seen this unfolding and yet no one spoke up. Dr Miller didn’t do this on his own.

[cassieblack]

The fact that the first words out of the doctors mouth after the massively invasive surgery was “ this is the worst year of my life “ is a testament to his lack of empathy towards people! Disgusting!

[obsidianwitch]

He botched another patient in 2012 and got sued. I’m baffled by the injustice!

[Aleksandra_Ješko]

Michael begging his parents to put an end to his misery DESTROYED me. His suffering was UNIMAGINABLE. How do you go on seeing your child suffer that horribly? It would literally kill me…

[bunnie]

this man BUTCHERED a patient's brain and there was no actual legal recourse against him... disgusting

[Jekama]

It is illegal to have a patient sign a consent when medically impaired. I work in an operating room and if the patient consent isn’t signed before medication is administered then we either have to talk to the next of kin to get authorization or we have to cancel the surgery. That surgeon should be sitting in prison for blatant malpractice and murder in causing this guy’s eventual death.

[toad]

I have worked with dozens of surgeons. Their egos truly cannot be overstated. They do not beg to operate for compensation, but rather because they want the experience and merit that comes with it. ALWAYS get a second or third opinion when a surgeon is quick to suggest a serious surgery. This case obviously has more aggravating factors than just that, but if another expert had the opportunity to talk to them it could have been avoided. RIP Michael

[artfanatic]

Not only did he deserve to lose his license and never be able to practice again, he needed to be in jail. He destroyed this man's life to the point that he lost his desire to live. To top it all off, he had the nerve to blame Michael and his parents.

[binknbaby]

His first words to the parents after surgery being "This has been the worst year of my life" says everything. He was focused on himself, not the patient, not the patient's family. He made it about himself.

[placebomandingo]

As a 6yr old child I had problems with chronic constipation, and when the specialists were done testing me they had a conference with my family and I where they informed us that i would be getting a colostomy bag and the procedure was scheduled. I remember my father almost flipped the table, and read them the riot act. We left, i didn't get the bag and eventually sorted my problem out with diet and other changes. I'm almost 60 now, and i can barely imagine how that would have changed my life.

Thanks Dad..❤

[franzpattison]

I've had two surgical procedures with over 99% success rate and both procedures were botched, with permanent neuropathy and other complications. This case made me cry

[Ditters]

I worked for Patty shortly after the Transparency Act was passed. When I tell you that she is a fighter and someone I was constantly in awe of... She took what would be any parent's worst nightmare and turned it into something that can protect, will protect and has protected so many. She is, simply put, a warrior

[GlitchedMuse]

As someone who has had 20 surgeries in my life. (Several of which were brain surgeries.) Hearing him say that "Micheal will be out in 3 days" was an immediate red flag. I had to spend three months in the hospital after my brain surgery.

[valerielhw]

If a doctor can't be successfully sued in a case as atrocious as this, there is no hope for patients to fight against even the worst of doctors. I am left very depressed after hearing about this.