A recent decision by the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in SAS Nagar Mohali has brought attention to a case of retained surgical material during a gynecologic procedure, leading to significant patient harm and financial liability for a hospital and surgeon. The case involves a 46-year-old woman who underwent uterine surgery at a Kharar-based hospital in September 2020 for abdominal pain. Following discharge, her symptoms reportedly persisted and worsened over the following months. In December 2020, she sought further care at another facility in Sonipat where a second surgery was performed.
During this procedure, clinicians allegedly discovered a cotton gauze retained in the abdominal cavity from the earlier operation. The retained material was associated with severe infection and necessitated resection of approximately 2.5 feet of intestine. The patient also required…
