Woman Underwent Second Surgery, Lost 2.5 Feet of Intestine After Severe Infection Caused by Retained Cotton Gauze
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (DCDRC), SAS Nagar Mohali, has directed a Kharar-based hospital and its surgeon to jointly pay Rs 19.5 lakh compensation to a woman who suffered severe complications after a cotton gauze piece was allegedly left inside her abdomen during surgery.
The Consumer Commission held the hospital and the treating surgeon guilty of serious medical negligence after the patient had to undergo a second surgery due to a severe infection caused by the retained surgical material.
Gauze Left Inside Abdomen During Uterine Surgery
According to the case details, the 46-year-old patient had approached the Kharar-based hospital in 2020 with complaints of abdominal pain. The treating surgeon performed a uterine surgery on September 16, 2020.
However, despite the operation, the woman’s health reportedly deteriorated after discharge and she continued to experience severe pain and complications.
After returning to Sonipat, the patient sought treatment at another hospital, where doctors conducted a second surgery on December 6, 2020.
During the operation, doctors allegedly discovered a large cotton gauze piece left inside her abdomen during the first surgery. Reports stated that the retained gauze had caused a severe infection in the abdominal region.
Patient Lost 2.5 Feet of Intestine Due to Infection
To prevent the infection from spreading further, doctors reportedly had to remove nearly 2.5 feet of the patient’s intestine during the second surgery.
The patient also had to use a stool bag for a certain period following the operation due to the seriousness of her condition.
The case highlighted the severe physical, emotional, and financial suffering faced by the patient because of the alleged negligence during the initial surgery.
Consumer Commission Holds Hospital and Surgeon Guilty
While hearing the matter, the District Consumer Commission observed that leaving surgical cotton material inside a patient’s body during an operation amounted to gross medical negligence.
Accordingly, the Commission directed the hospital and surgeon to jointly pay:
- Rs 9.25 lakh towards medical expenses
- Rs 10 lakh as compensation for mental agony and suffering
- Rs 25,000 towards litigation expenses
The Commission ordered the compensation amount to be paid within 45 days.
Interest Applicable if Payment Delayed
The DCDRC further directed that the medical reimbursement amount would carry 9 per cent annual interest from December 1, 2020.
The Commission also clarified that if the hospital and doctor fail to make the payment within the stipulated period, the interest rate would increase to 12 per cent per annum.
The ruling is being viewed as a significant decision reinforcing accountability in medical negligence cases and patient safety standards in healthcare institutions.
