The 36-year-old from Thailand said she sought help for the medical error, which happened when during the delivery medical staff mistakenly dropped surgical needle in her vagina
A Thai woman has revealed she found out that a needle was mistakenly left in her vagina during childbirth 18 years ago, causing her severe pain all these years, and it still cannot be removed.
The 36-year-old, living in Narathiwat, a southern province of Thailand, whose name has not been disclosed, said she sought help for the medical error, which happened when during the delivery, medical staff accidentally dropped a needle into her vagina while suturing and failed to retrieve it.
Worried about excessive bleeding, they opted to close the wound, leaving the needle inside. The woman said the doctor attempted to retrieve it "using his fingers," but he failed.
The needle still cannot be retrieved
Ever since that day, the woman says she has been plagued by persistent pain in her lower abdomen, which flares up with intense discomfort. Yet, despite her agony, she could only find out last year that an X-ray confirmed the needle’s presence, still lodged within her body.
While doctors have recommended surgery attempts to remove the needle have been postponed thrice already due to its constant movement inside her body. This ongoing delay has forced her to undergo monthly hospital visits, placing a significant financial burden on her family.
How dangerous are foreign objects that remain inside the body after surgery?
According to doctors, when objects are left inside the body after surgery, it can cause serious, life-threatening complications including infection, pain, abscesses, internal bleeding, organ damage, and potentially fatal situations, often requiring further surgery to remove the foreign object.
Even though these errors are preventable, studies say in the US, surgeons accidentally leave objects like sponge or towel on patients at least 39 times a week. Other items frequently left inside bodies after surgery include clamps, scalpels, cotton swabs, needles and gauze pads.
The impact of retained surgical bodies varies depending on the item and which part of the body the surgeon leaves them. A few potential complications include:
- Sepsis
- Inflammation
- Organ damage
- Perforation or laceration
- Severe infection that can cause pain, stiffness, and discomfort
Doctors say when left untreated, these complications can be fatal. Removing the foreign object often requires further surgery, which can cause more complications and a longer recovery period. It can also be emotionally and financially stressful for patients who have just endured an operation.
Symptoms of discomfort caused by left objects in your body include:
- Abdominal pain
- Swelling
- Recurrent fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Discomfort around the surgical site, though sometimes there may be no noticeable symptoms initially.
Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Health and around the world.
