Misfortune at birth: they forgot the surgical instrument in the stomach

In examination after the surgical instrument was left in the abdomen of a woman who gave birth by caesarean section in New Zealand in 2020, it was claimed that the Auckland Regional Board of Health violated patient rights standards.

The Alexis Wound Retractor (AWR), a soft tubular instrument about the size of a dinner plate used to hold open the surgical wound in the abdomen of a woman who had a caesarean section in Auckland, New Zealand, has been forgotten. The forgotten device was discovered in a CT scan of the abdomen after the woman went to the doctor several times, including in the emergency room, complaining of severe abdominal pain. Approximately 18 months after birth, the device was removed from the woman’s abdomen.

After examinations, it was decided that the Auckland District Health Board breached the rules on patients’ rights. In a statement, New Zealand Health and Disability Commissioner Morag McDowell said: “In this case, care fell significantly below the appropriate standard, causing the woman to suffer for a long time. There should be systems in place to prevent this from happening.”

The Auckland District Health Board was advised to write to the woman to apologize and confirm that the directive to include AWRs as part of the surgical instrument count was sent to all staff. It was also reported that the board was referred to the Director of Litigation to determine if further action should be taken. (DHA)