Mumbai Woman Undergoes Second Operation After Cotton Gauze Reportedly Found Inside Abdomen Following Childbirth
Mumbai: A case of alleged medical negligence has surfaced at a private hospital on Mohammed Ali Road in South Mumbai, where a surgical cotton gauze was reportedly left inside a woman’s abdomen during a delivery procedure, forcing her to undergo a second surgery days later.
The woman, a resident of the Pydhonie area, delivered a baby on May 10 under the care of a doctor at the hospital. According to her family, she was discharged on May 14 but soon began suffering from severe abdominal pain and persistent fever after returning home.
Family Alleges Hospital Attempted to Conceal Error
The woman’s husband, Shamshad Ali Syed, alleged that hospital authorities attempted to cover up the mistake. He claimed that he was sent outside to purchase an injection, following which hospital staff urgently informed him that his wife required immediate surgery.
Syed further stated that despite repeatedly seeking explanations and medical reports regarding his wife’s condition, the hospital failed to provide satisfactory answers. He later consulted another doctor after obtaining medical records from a different healthcare facility, where he was allegedly informed that a surgical gauze had been left inside her abdomen during the delivery-related procedure.
Symptoms Initially Dismissed as Post-Delivery Complications
According to the family, when the woman’s condition worsened, they took her back to the same hospital. However, doctors reportedly assured them that fever and abdominal discomfort were normal after childbirth and provided routine treatment.
As the pain intensified, the family sought treatment at another private hospital. Doctors there advised a CT scan, which allegedly revealed the presence of a cotton gauze piece inside the woman’s abdomen.
Second Surgery Successfully Removes Gauze
Following the diagnosis, the woman was readmitted to the hospital where she had delivered her baby. She subsequently underwent a second surgery on Friday night, during which doctors reportedly removed a large piece of cotton gauze from her abdomen.
Medical sources said the procedure was successful and the woman’s condition is currently stable.
Police Complaint Filed, Investigation Underway
After learning about the alleged negligence, Shamshad Ali Syed approached the Pydhonie Police and lodged a formal complaint. Police officials confirmed that legal action is being initiated against those responsible and that an investigation into the matter is currently underway.
The incident has once again raised concerns over patient safety and surgical protocols in healthcare facilities, with authorities expected to examine whether standard operating procedures were followed during the woman’s treatment and delivery.
