Surgical Tool Left Inside Woman After 2021 Operation in Kerala

A medical negligence case has emerged in Kerala, where a surgical instrument was discovered inside a woman’s abdomen nearly five years after her operation. The object, identified as an artery forceps, was revealed during an X-ray prompted by persistent abdominal pain experienced by the patient, Usha Joseph.

Joseph underwent surgery at Alappuzha Medical College in May 2021 to remove a uterine fibroid. Following the procedure, she suffered ongoing discomfort, which her family reported went undiagnosed despite multiple visits to the same hospital. Her son, Shibin, recounted that after initially suspecting a kidney stone, a recent consultation led to the X-ray that uncovered the foreign object.

Shibin expressed the family’s urgency in addressing the situation, stating, “We don’t want any more problems, so we moved to a private hospital.” Joseph has since been transferred to a private facility in Kochi for the removal of the surgical tool. He criticized the medical college’s response, alleging that no compensation would be offered for the oversight and confirming the family’s decision to file a complaint with the Ambalapuzha police station.

In the wake of this troubling incident, Veena George, the Health Minister of Kerala, announced that officials involved in the surgery who remain in government service would face suspension pending an investigation. George emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “This is a painful incident that should not have happened.”

The investigation includes a preliminary inquiry, with a report already submitted to the Director of Medical Education (DME). An expert committee comprising senior doctors from Kottayam and Thiruvananthapuram Medical Colleges has been formed to conduct a thorough examination. George indicated that legal action would follow based on the findings of this inquiry.

The case has drawn attention to potential systemic failures in surgical protocols. Dr. Lalithambika, a retired surgeon from Government Medical College Alappuzha, was mentioned in connection with the case but denied performing the surgery in question. She pointed out that the incident highlights a broader issue, stating, “Usually, a floor nurse records the instruments used during surgery on a board and counts them once the procedure is completed. However, in government hospitals, there are no floor nurses, and this practice is not followed.”

Lalithambika clarified that the object found was a mosquito forceps, a small tool used to clamp blood vessels, not the larger artery forceps as initially reported. She voiced concerns over the implications of such negligence, noting, “This instrument can stay in the body for 20 to 30 years.”

The Health Minister responded to Lalithambika’s comments, asserting that all hospitals are required to adhere to World Health Organization guidelines. She stressed the importance of proper surgical protocols, stating, “How can a surgery be done without a scrub nurse? If such a surgery happens, that itself is a violation.”

George’s remarks underscore the seriousness with which the state is treating this incident. She recalled a similar case from 2017, indicating that negligence in medical practice would not be tolerated. “Doctors cannot trivialize the matter by claiming that surgical instruments can remain inside the body for years without consequence,” she added.

As the investigation unfolds, Joseph remains under medical care, with her family advocating for swift action to resolve this distressing chapter in their lives. The outcome of the expert committee’s report is awaited, which is expected to inform both medical and legal responses to this alarming situation.