forceps-found-inside-patient-s-abdomen-after-12-yrs

In a shocking case of medical negligence at STNM Hospital in Sikkim, a patient underwent surgery on October 8, 2024, to remove surgical scissors that had been left inside her abdomen for over a decade.

The woman had undergone an appendectomy at the old STNM hospital in 2012.  She consulted many doctors, who gave her medication, but the pain would inevitably return.

On October 8, she went to the STNM hospital again and an X-ray revealed the surgical scissors in her abdomen. 

After extensive medical investigations failed to uncover the source of her discomfort, the recent discovery of the scissors has raised serious concerns regarding patient safety and hospital protocols.

Dr Suresh Madan Rai, Spokesperson of STNM Hospital said that a committee has been set up with officials of the Health Department and doctors from STNM to investigate the case of scissors left in the abdomen of the woman during the appendix operation.

"Even after the appendix operation, the woman had pain. Her family brought her to the STNM Hospital. In the X-ray, a surgical scissor was found in her abdomen. The doctors on Thursday operated to remove the scissor from the abdomen of the woman," he said.

A team of medical experts successfully removed the foreign object, and the patient is currently recovering.

The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with calls for accountability from critics and healthcare advocates. 

Authorities are investigating the matter and discussing the need for stricter checks during and after surgical procedures to prevent such avoidable errors.

Many are questioning how such a serious oversight could occur, highlighting the necessity for thorough reviews of surgical practices and post-operative care to ensure patient safety.