FORCEPS LEFT IN A BODY FOR TEN

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 11 April 1907, Page 4

FORCEPS LEFT IN A BODY FOR TEN

alias A remarkable case of neglect on the part of a hospital surgeon \a mentioned in the British Medical Journal l)r Stewart, of Midland Junct/on, West Australia, records the circumstances of the case. lie operated on a woman and found a pair of forceps in her body. The fortvps were nearly five inches in lengt': and the width across the handles was about two inches, ami they had been left in the woman's body after an operation ten and a half years before. "That the forceps should have attained the portion in which they were found without causing death is extraordinary." IDr Stewart, writes. 'Though the patient's health lmd been wretched during these years, and a large part of the time spent in bed, it is worthy of notice that she had occasionallv felt well enough to participate in dancer "I have reason to believe that no record of the former operation can he found in the books of the hospital where it was performed." At an operation performed recently in London the usual precaution was taken by the surgeons of counting the forceps and sponges used and putting the nnmher on a card was neglected. The nurse, however, had made a mental note that there were eighteen. After the operation had been completed. three pairs of forceps were misved The surgeon asked the nurse what had ! become of them, but was assured that eighteen had been used. The surgeon requested her to make quite sure, and a message was sent to his house to see • whether by chance left any at home. None could be found, however, and it ' was decided that another operation 1 would have to be performed. This was 1 done, and tlie three iniss : ng forceps were fouud in the patient's body.