A young woman in New Zealand was left in agony for 18 months after a surgical tool the size of a dinner plate was left inside her abdomen following a caesarean section.
The woman, who has not been named, had the scheduled C-section in 2020 due to concerns about placenta previa.
During the operation, an Alexis retractor or AWR, which is a retractable cylindrical device, which can measure 17 centimetres (6 inches) in diameter, used to draw back the edges of a wound, was left inside her abdomen.
The woman suffered months of chronic pain, including pain in her abdomen, back, and pelvis.
She went to several doctors and hospitals, but the device was not found on X-rays. The pain eventually got so severe that she could barely walk or sleep.
In 2021, the woman went to the emergency department at Auckland City Hospital, where an abdominal CT scan finally revealed the device. It was removed immediately.
New Zealand’s Health and Disability Commissioner, Morag McDowell, found that the Auckland District Health Board (DHB) violated the code of patient rights in a report released on Monday.
She said that the care provided to the woman fell significantly below the appropriate standard and resulted in a prolonged period of distress for her.
McDowell recommended that the Auckland District Health Board make a written apology to the woman and revise its policies by including AWRs as part of the surgical count.
The health board has apologized for the error and said that it is confident in the quality of its surgical and maternity care.
The woman is still recovering from the ordeal and is considering legal action.
