Hysterectomy instead of Cholecystectomy: UP doctor booked
Varanasi: In an alleged case of botched-up surgery reported in the state, a private doctor in Uttar Pradesh has been booked under various charges for allegedly conducting a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) on a 26-year-old woman instead of Cholecystectomy (removal of the gall bladder).
Apart from holding the doctor responsible for the alleged malpractice, the woman seeks justice for suffering distressing consequences from the alleged botched surgery and the stress from running to various police stations in the hope of getting help but was refused.
The case was filed after a judge from a local court ordered the police force to take action following a plea filed by the woman who was tired of approaching various police stations but none accepted her case.
Meanwhile, a committee will be formed to investigate the case, and strict action will be taken, informed Chief Medical Officer Dr Sandeep Chaudhary.
The incident came to light when the woman who underwent her gall bladder removal surgery was shocked to discover three years later that instead of the gall bladder, it was her uterus that was missing.
The case concerned a 26-year-old woman from Bela village in Varanasi's Cholapur block who was experiencing sharp pain in her abdomen following which she was taken to a private nursing home in Gola with the help of a ASHA worker in her village.
Her diagnostic tests revealed that she had gall bladder stones, and the doctors at the hospital advised her to undergo surgery. On May 28, 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown, she underwent surgery. However, the doctor performed the surgery at his private clinic instead of performing it at the nursing home.
After the surgery, the woman was living a normal life until her pain reappears again in March 2023. When several methods to stop the pain failed, she then decided to seek medical attention. Therefore, she went to another nursing home in Baniyapur where multiple tests were conducted. The results revealed her gall bladder still contained stones, but her uterus was missing.
The woman was devastated and shocked to discover the truth. Later, she confronted the doctor asking about the details of the alleged malpractice, however, the doctor threatened her and denied the accusation.
A case was filed against the doctor and he has been booked under sections 336, 337, 338 (related to causing grievous hurt by acts endangering the life or personal safety of others), and 504 (related to intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), among others.
Rajesh Tripathi, the station officer at Cholapur, informed TOI, "Following the court order, we have booked the doctor and have begun our investigation. Her allegations include botched-up surgery and threatening."
