Botched Cosmetic Surgery: Patient left without ventilator for 12 hours at private clinic

Thiruvananthapuram: After a 31-year-old woman was put on life support after losing her four fingers and toes due to a severe infection following a botched fat removal surgery at a private cosmetic clinic in Thampuranmukku, an expert committee of doctors appointed by the state health department confirmed that the clinic failed to follow standard medical procedures during the surgery.    

Despite the patient having dangerously low blood pressure, she was kept for 12 hours without a ventilator at the facility. Additionally, the patient had a history of heart issues, the surgery was performed without the presence of a cardiologist. 

Medical Dialogues had recently reported that the incident took place on February 22 when M.S. Neethu, a resident of Sreevaraham in Muttathara, underwent a fat removal procedure on her lower abdomen at the ‘Cosmetic Hospital’ in Arasummoodu, Kazhakoottam. She was discharged the next day, but according to a complaint filed by her husband, Padmajith, she soon developed severe fatigue and other alarming symptoms.

Despite informing the attending doctor, she was reportedly only advised to consume salted porridge and water. Her condition deteriorated rapidly, and on February 24, she was rushed back to the clinic. Staff at the clinic arranged for her transfer to another private hospital, citing complications including dangerously low blood pressure. There, she reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest following the procedure, which was conducted in February. She has been on ventilator support ever since.

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Currently, the woman is being treated in the ICU of a private hospital, and her condition is said to be improving. On Monday, doctors had to amputate the fifth toe on her left foot and the fourth toe on her left hand due to complications from the surgery.

Raising concerns about serious lapses in the botched cosmetic surgery, the committee pointed out that the basic protocol of monitoring a patient for 24 hours after administering general anaesthesia was not followed. While the patient had dangerously low blood pressure, she was kept for 12 hours in a facility without a ventilator.

As per a latest media report by Kerala Kaumudi, the committee also pointed out that the surgery was carried out even though the woman had informed them about her heart condition. As the patient had a history of heart problems, a cardiologist should have been present to monitor her during the procedure. However, no cardiologist was available during the procedure, said the committee. 

The committee also found that the cosmetic clinic, which performed complex surgeries, did not have ambulance facilities and was operating despite not being registered as a medical establishment. 

The District Medical Officer (DMO) has now written to the heads of the critical care and radiology departments at the medical college to get their expert opinions on the matter. Including their opinion, the committee will submit a final report in the case.

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