Retired Doctor Denies Allegations in Forceps Left Inside Patient Case
In a controversial medical case from Alappuzha, Kerala, a retired gynecologist has firmly denied allegations of surgical error after a pair of forceps was discovered inside a patient's abdomen five years post-operation. Dr. Lalithambika Karunakaran, formerly of Alappuzha Medical College in Vandanam, stated she did not perform the surgery in question, despite initial family claims linking her to the incident.
Patient's Prolonged Suffering and Surgical Discovery
Usha Joseph, a 51-year-old MGNREGA worker from Punnapra, Alappuzha, endured severe abdominal pain for five years following a surgery to remove a 3.5kg tumor suspected to be cancerous. Medical examinations later revealed a 10-cm-long pair of forceps left inside her body, prompting allegations of negligence against the hospital staff.
Doctor's Detailed Defense and Explanations
Dr. Lalithambika provided multiple explanations during her statement on Friday. She clarified that the item was not scissors but mosquito forceps, a smaller surgical instrument, and noted that X-ray images might have magnified its appearance. "I didn't directly participate in the surgery conducted at that time," she asserted, adding that during Usha's operation, she was heavily involved in COVID-19 prevention activities, focusing on treating pregnant women affected by the pandemic.
The retired doctor suggested the forceps could have been left during a prior surgery, possibly up to 20 years earlier, emphasizing that Usha had undergone previous operations. She called for a thorough investigation to determine the exact timeline and responsibility, stating, "It is not known if the instrument was stuck in her body during the surgery at Vandanam. Only an investigation will reveal it."
Systemic Issues in Government Hospitals Highlighted
Dr. Lalithambika pointed to broader systemic failures in government healthcare facilities. She explained that in standard procedures, a floor nurse is responsible for counting and tracking surgical instruments before and after operations, with doctors relying on this count to proceed with stitching. "Normally, someone is responsible for counting the number of instruments before and after surgery. However, govt hospitals lack such personnel," she noted, implying that such shortages could lead to errors like this incident.
Despite the family's allegations that Dr. Lalithambika initially checked Usha, she maintained her innocence, arguing that even if forceps remained inside a body for decades, it might not cause issues, though this claim contrasts with Usha's reported years of pain. The case has sparked discussions on medical accountability and the need for improved protocols in public hospitals to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
