Dakshina Kannada: Man accuses doctor of leaving surgical mop inside wife’s stomach during surgery

Months after the surgery, the woman began experiencing severe joint, wrist and leg pain, making it difficult for her to walk, stand or even lift her baby to feed.

Mangaluru: A man has alleged medical negligence at a private hospital here accusing the doctors of leaving a surgical mop inside his wife’s stomach during a C-section performed in November last year.

Taking to X, he stated that his wife underwent a C-section on November 27, 2024 and was discharged on December 2. However, a week later, she developed a high fever and returned to the hospital, where the doctor prescribed medication.

Concerned about an unusual sensation on one side of her stomach, the couple insisted on an ultrasound scan, which revealed a 10-cm mass. However, the radiologist allegedly refused to disclose the details. The doctor dismissed their concerns, claiming it was a hematoma and not a foreign object, the man alleged.

Although her fever subsided, follow-up ultrasounds showed no reduction in the mass. Meanwhile, she began experiencing severe joint, wrist and leg pain, making it difficult for her to walk, stand or even lift her baby to feed. The doctor then referred her to an orthopedic specialist, who further referred her to another hospital.

A CT scan at the second hospital confirmed the presence of a surgical mop inside her stomach. By then, the infection had spread to her lungs, blood and other organs, putting her life at risk. When the couple confronted the doctor, who performed the C-section, he allegedly refused to take responsibility. The woman was later rushed for an emergency surgery to remove the surgical mop.

District Health Officer Dr Thimmaiah said an investigation would be conducted in the matter.