Doctor Leaves Surgical Mop In Woman's Stomach During C-Section In Karnataka

The doctor dismissed the couple's concerns saying it was a hematoma (blood clot) and not a foreign object, and also brushed aside the couple's suggestion for a CT scan.

A doctor allegedly left a surgical mop inside a woman's stomach during C-section in Karnataka's Puttur.

Source : Pexels

In a case of alleged medical negligence, a doctor at a private hospital in Karnataka's Puttur has been accused of leaving a surgical mop inside a woman's stomach during a Caesarean-section conducted on her in November last year, causing life-threatening complications.

The woman's life was saved only after an emergency surgery was done to remove the foreign object from her stomach. Dakshina Kannada District Health and Family Welfare Officer Dr Thimmaiah HR has assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted into the complaint, Times of India reported.

The incident was brought to light by the woman's husband, who shared the couple's ordeal in a post on X. He said that his wife underwent a C-section on November 27 and was discharged on December 2. However, she developed high fever and had to be readmitted to the hospital a week later.

The couple was concerned about an unusual sensation on one side of the woman's stomach, and insisted on an ultrasound scan, which revealed a 10 cm mass. However, the radiologist allegedly refused to disclose the details to the patient or communicate with the treating doctor in their presence.

Doctor Dismisses Foreign Object As Blood Clot

The doctor dismissed the concerns saying it was a hematoma (blood clot) and not a foreign object. The doctor also brushed aside the couple's suggestion for a CT scan, despite the persisiting discomfort, saying the condition would become better over time.

Thereafter, the woman's fever subsided, but follow-up ultrasounds showed no reduction in the mass. She also began experiencing severe joint, wrist, and leg pain, which made it difficult for her to walk, stand, or lift her baby to feed.

As her condition worsened, they got a CT scan done, which her husband said confirmed Gossypiboma and the presence of a surgical mop in the stomach. The infection had spread to her bloods, lungs, and other organs by then, posing a huge risk to her life.

The doctor who had performed the C-section allegedly refused to accept any responsibility when the couple approached him regarding their shocking discovery.  

On January 25, an emergency surgery had to be conducted at another private hospital in Puttur to remove the surgical mop and the woman's life was saved. She was discharged on February 15 and is still under medication. She has not been able to breastfeed her newborn.

"We have undergone tremendous stress. We have posted the issue on the National Consumer Grievance portal and Department of Consumer Affairs. We have spent lakhs on her treatment," the husband said.