TOKYO (AFP) - Doctors who carried out surgery on a Japanese man to remove a "tumour" had good news and bad news for him. He did not have cancer -- but the "growth" that had been causing him pain was in fact a 25-year-old surgical towel The man, now 49, went in to another hospital in late May after suffering abdominal pain. When examinations found what was believed to be an eight-centimetre (3.2-inch) tumour, he underwent the operation to remove it. It was only then that surgeons realised it was a towel. "The towel was greenish blue although we are not sure about its original colour," the Asahi General Hospital spokesman said, adding it had been crumpled to the size of a softball. Asahi hospital officials visited the man and apologised, he said. The former patient has no plans to sue the hospital, which is in talks with him over compensation or other measures, the official said. http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/healthjapanoffbeat
Me thinks if the Compensation is not adequate and quick to come....the "no plans" will turn into "Damn-Skippy I am suing them" - real quick!!!!
It was too late for the Japanese Medical board to go after the original surgeon's license. He was no longer practicing, having already thrown in the towel. Yeah, I know. I'm rusty.
I heard the patient was just "raggin" on any suggestion the medical community had as to the possible cause of his pain and discomfort.
Chances are good they were using it as a sponge during his operation..but hey, what the hack do I know..
Actually this stuff happens more often then you might hear about. Towels, forceps even scalpels are are sometimes forgotten and sewn right back inside you. That aside from things like having the wrong limb removed, given the wrong medicine etc. And its only getting worse and more prevalent atm. Hospitals are about the last place I want to go.
My wife once got a diamond ring in a McD's bag, when she took it back the girl was cryin her eyes out thinking she would never see it again. Hopefully she got it resized soon.
I think most people have that problem when ordering a McDonalds burger. They don't tell you what it is, but it sure ain't meat.
