Home / Crime and Justice / Surgeon's Error Leaves Gauze in Patient, Leads to Intestine Removal
Surgeon's Error Leaves Gauze in Patient, Leads to Intestine Removal
30 Apr
Summary
- Cotton gauze left inside a woman's abdomen during uterus surgery.
- Patient required a second operation removing 2.5 feet of intestine.
- Hospital and surgeon ordered to pay Rs 19.5 lakh in compensation.
A Mohali Consumer Commission has ruled against S K Hospital and surgeon Dr Gunraj following a surgical error. During a uterus surgery on September 16, 2020, a piece of cotton gauze was allegedly left inside the patient's abdomen.
The patient, Chanda (46), experienced worsening pain post-discharge, necessitating a second surgery on December 6, 2020. Doctors discovered the gauze, which had caused a severe infection. Consequently, approximately 2.5 feet of her intestine had to be removed to control the infection.
The commission found the hospital and surgeon guilty of serious medical negligence. They have been ordered to jointly pay the victim Rs 9.25 lakh for medical expenses, Rs 10 lakh for mental agony, and Rs 25,000 for litigation costs, totaling Rs 19.50 lakh. Reimbursement of medical expenses is mandated within 45 days with 9% annual interest.
