Medical Negligence? Patient alleges toes amputated without consent at Alappuzha MCH

Alappuzha: In a case of alleged medical negligence, a 58-year-old woman from Kuthiyathodu has accused the doctors in the surgery department of Alappuzha Medical College Hospital of amputating two toes on her right foot without her or her family’s consent.

While the woman and her family claimed that they were not informed about the amputation and came to know only after the surgery, the Alappuzha Medical College Hospital authorities denied the allegations. They stated that her two toes had fallen off on their own due to her severe diabetic condition and that this was noticed while doctors were removing the dressing to check the wound.

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The incident came to light after the woman was admitted to the hospital’s surgical ward on September 27, following the injury caused by a nail that had pierced through her foot. She underwent surgery on September 29, but according to her family, the procedure was done without informing them about the nature of the operation.

Her family stated that they came to know about the amputation only the next day, when senior doctors visited her for a follow-up check-up, as she was complaining of pain, as per a Mathrubhumi news report.

Following the discovery, her son approached the hospital superintendent and the district medical officer and subsequently filed a complaint. In response, the hospital superintendent formed a three-member expert committee to investigate the matter.

However, hospital authorities have denied the allegations of negligence. Superintendent Dr A Harikumar said the patient had a severe diabetic foot infection with poor blood circulation, and her condition was critical.

"Her feet were completely infected, with limited blood flow. While removing the dressing to inspect the wound, her toes fell off. She complained that the matter was not communicated to her properly. An emergency panel was formed, and its report has been submitted. Further action will be based on that,” he told Onmanorama.

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