The family of a Davenport woman who died after surgery from tacks that punctured her heart is suing for medical malpractice.

Jeannette Ebeling was 30 years old when she died Dec. 2, 2007. Her mother, Susan Coffin, is suing as executor of Ebeling’s estate, on behalf of herself and Ebeling’s young son.

The lawsuit is against Matthew Christophersen, Hans Zinnecker, Scott Ludwig, Davenport Surgical Group, Davenport Emergency Physicians and Genesis Health System. 

According to the lawsuit:

Ebeling became a patient of Christophersen’s in 2002, when he performed a gall bladder procedure on her. He also performed hernia repairs on her.

In July 2007, Ebeling noticed a lump in her breast. Christophersen recommended removal of the mass. He also recommended a repair of her hernias that included a mesh material. That surgery happened on

Nov. 30, 2007.

Christophersen secured the mesh with what are called “spiral tacks” from a surgical stapler. Four of the tacks went into parts of Ebeling’s heart. “Two of the four tacks were buried in Jeannette’s heart muscle. These facts were discovered at autopsy,” the lawsuit says.

Ebeling was supposed to be released from the hospital after 23 hours observation. Instead, “she remained hospitalized and required significant levels of pain medication following her hernia repair,” the lawsuit says.

Zinnecker checked on her on the morning of Dec. 1, noting atrial fibrillation, stable vital signs, “okay” urine output and increased pain.

During her hospitalization, her oxygen levels, urine output and blood pressure decreased, information that was not recorded as being told by nursing staff to the doctors, the lawsuit says. Her pain levels increased, which was not reported to doctors by the nursing staff, the lawsuit says. She was on multiple pain

medications.

At about 3 a.m. on Dec. 2, she was found lying on the floor in the bathroom, unconscious and moaning, after her IV began beeping. A Code Blue was called, to which Ludwig responded. Zinnecker requested she be sent to the Intensive Care Unit. A second Code Blue was called shortly afterward.

Ebeling was pronounced dead at 4:19 a.m. An autopsy determined Ebeling died from fluid on the heart, which was caused by the four surgical tacks.

A Genesis spokesman declined comment. James Hayes, attorney for Ebeling’s family, could not be reached for comment.