Patient Alleges Surgery Worsened Condition
Thiruvananthapuram: A case of alleged medical negligence has been registered against an orthopaedic surgeon at Jubilee Memorial Hospital, Palayam, after a 24-year-old patient complained that a surgery intended to relieve persistent hip joint pain instead left him in severe discomfort. The patient alleged that his condition deteriorated following the procedure.
Claim of Broken Surgical Instrument
In his police complaint, the patient stated that during surgery on his left hip, a bone drill bit broke and became lodged inside the bone due to alleged careless handling. He claimed that following the operation, he began experiencing intense pain in his hip and leg, which he had not suffered from earlier.
Background of the Medical Treatment
The patient had approached the hospital’s orthopaedics department in September 2025 with complaints of persistent pain in both hip joints. After evaluation, the doctor advised a procedure to improve blood circulation. Surgery on the right hip was performed on October 3 and was reportedly successful, after which the patient was discharged. However, complications allegedly occurred during the second surgery on the left hip on November 17.
Police Action and Legal Provisions
Based on the complaint, the police registered a case against the doctor under Sections 125 and 125(b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which relate to negligent acts endangering life or personal safety. An investigation into the allegations is currently underway.
Hospital Denies Negligence
The hospital administration has denied any wrongdoing, stating that the patient was suffering from avascular necrosis and had opted for a core decompression procedure. According to the hospital, during the second surgery, the metal tip of a guide wire detached, and removing it would have required another invasive procedure. The doctor reportedly advised against further surgery, assuring that the sterilised metal fragment would not pose any health risk. Hospital authorities have maintained that there was no medical negligence involved.
