Sikkim: Surgical scissors left inside patient for 12 years

Gangtok: A shocking case of medical negligence has come to light at the STNM Hospital in Sikkim. A patient underwent a major surgery on October 8, 2024, to remove surgical scissors that had been left inside her abdomen for over a decade.

The woman, who had undergone an appendix operation at the old STNM hospital in 2012, had been enduring persistent and severe abdominal pain ever since. Despite numerous medical investigations, the cause of her discomfort remained a mystery until the recent discovery.

The presence of the surgical scissors for more than a decade has raised serious concerns about medical negligence, patient safety, and hospital protocols. A team of medical experts successfully removed the foreign object, and the patient is currently recovering.

However, the incident has sparked widespread outrage and calls for accountability. Authorities are now investigating the matter and have initiated discussions about the need for stricter checks during and after surgeries to prevent such avoidable errors.

Critics are demanding a thorough review of surgical practices and post-operative care procedures to ensure patient safety.

The discovery of the surgical scissors has led to a public outcry, with many questioning how such a serious oversight could have occurred. The incident has also highlighted the importance of patient advocacy and the need for patients to be vigilant about their own care.

As the investigation into the matter continues, it remains to be seen what measures will be implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future.