Uterus Removed instead of Gallbladder, Srinagar-based Hospital Claims it was Necessary to Save Patient's Life
Srinagar: Controversy has erupted over the surgery of a 26-year-old patient, who was operated on for a polyp in the gallbladder at a Private hospital at Hyderpora in Srinagar, only to find out later that instead of the gall bladder, it was her uterus that was missing.
Although the family of the patient has alleged that the doctors at the Srinagar-based hospital were guilty of medical negligence, the hospital has claimed that removal of the uterus was conducted due to the emergence of some complications during the surgery. It has been further claimed on the behalf of the hospital that the family of the patient was trying to malign and defame the hospital to extort money from them.
Meanwhile the Director Health Kashmir Dr. Mushtaq Rather has assured that strict action would be taken against the hospital and the doctors once the family files a written complaint.
The case concerned a 26-year-old woman who was diagnosed with the presence of a 6mm polyp on her gall bladder and following this she was advised to undergo surgery back in June.
As per the latest media report by Brighter Kashmir, the post-operative check-up of the patient revealed that as the size of the polyp was too small (less than 12 mm), surgery was not even required. Another shock was waiting for the family, hailing from Pulwama, when a second ultrasound of the patient revealed that her uterus was missing.
It has reportedly been alleged by the patient's family that the hospital authority rushed through the process of surgery only on the basis of the USG report forwarded to them via WhatsApp.
The family further claimed that when they confronted the hospital management, the authorities initially refused to take responsibility and later requested for a "compromise".
While commenting on the matter, the husband of the patient told the daily, "We have been devastated by this hospital and the doctor who operated on her. We have lost hopes of becoming parents now," adding that it was like the death sentence for the family.
"The reality is that we will never be able to conceive is haunting us and is already causing a lot of mental trauma. What worries us is also the fact that removal of body parts in such a manner will affect the health of my wife for her entire life. Our life has been derailed," he mentioned.
Claiming that they have a WhatsApp chat record of the conversation with the hospital, the family has further alleged that the hospital advised them to go for urgent surgery for gallbladder removal as well as for swelling on the uterus saying the patient has cysts on ovary.
"Being unfortunate, illiterate, and unaware we straightway decided to go as per their advice. Ask the hospital and doctor if they have seen the patient or done any investigations before the surgery," the brother of the patient told the daily.
"It is very strange the hospital is contesting the age of patient. Does 30 years or having a child qualify her to get uterus removed. This shows how insensitive the administration of the hospital is," he added.
Although the hospital authority has allegedly admitted that the uterus of the woman was removed during the operation, they have further claimed that the decision was taken by expert doctors due to the development of several complications during the surgery.
"The patient was operated for removal of GB last month. During the surgery due to development of some complications the team of doctors available there to the best of their abilities and capabilities took the decision of removing the uterus to save the life of the patient" read the statement of the Hospital as reported by Brighter Kashmir.
Claiming that the hospital was facing huge pressure "from various agencies demanding hefty sum," the management has further alleged that the family was in fact trying to malign and defame the name of the hospital in an attempt to "extort" money from them.
While commenting on the issue, a doctor told the daily, "To remove gallbladder the polyp size should be over 12MM. Surgery for a 6mm polyp is very rare."
