A retired doctor faces legal action after a surgical device was found in a woman's abdomen four years post-operation at a medical college in Kerala, India.
In a serious case of medical negligence reported from Alappuzha Medical College in Kerala, a 51-year-old woman named Usha Joseph discovered that a surgical instrument, an artery forceps, had been left inside her abdomen after a fibroid removal operation in May 2021. Following her ongoing complaints of severe abdominal pain, medical examinations unveiled the alarming presence of the foreign object. This revelation has prompted the police to file a case against the retired doctor who performed the surgery, Dr. Lalithambika, the head of the gynecology department at the time.
The situation escalated as Usha Joseph underwent a successful operation at Amrita Hospital, where the retained surgical device was finally removed on Saturday. The operation was conducted by competent medical staff, including the Medical Superintendent Dr. Ganesh Mohan and Surgical Department Head Dr. Abdul Siyad A. Reports indicate that Usha's condition post-surgery is satisfactory, highlighting the importance of thorough post-operative care in preventing such incidents.
This case raises awareness about the critical issues of surgical procedures and the accountability of medical professionals, particularly regarding patient safety. It emphasizes the need for stricter protocols to ensure that all instruments are accounted for once a procedure is completed. The incident has generated discussions around medical ethics and the safeguarding of patients' rights within healthcare systems in India, particularly following instances of negligence that can lead to severe consequences like those faced by Usha Joseph.
