'Without ventilator for 12 hours'; Serious lapse found in botched cosmetic surgery incident in Thiruvananthapuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: An expert committee of doctors confirmed serious lapses in the botched cosmetic surgery incident in Kazhakkoottam, Kulathur. A young woman's four fingers were amputated after the stomach fat removal surgery flopped.

Even the common procedure of keeping a patient under general anaesthesia under observation for 24 hours was not followed. Despite having very low blood pressure, the patient was kept in a hospital without a ventilator for 12 hours.

Despite the patient admitting to having heart issues, the surgery was performed without the presence of a cardiology doctor.

The unfortunate incident happened to MS Neetu (31), a software engineer and native of Sreevaraham, who underwent surgery. The expert committee was appointed based on a complaint filed by her husband Padmajith to the Health Department.

The committee also found that the cosmetic clinic, which performed complex surgeries, did not have ambulance facilities and was operating despite not being registered as a medical establishment. The final report will be prepared after seeking the opinions of critical care and radiology experts.

The DMO has sent a letter to the heads of both departments of the medical college for this purpose. The health condition of the young woman, who is currently in the ICU of a private hospital, is improving. The fifth toe on the left foot and the fourth toe on the left hand of the patient were amputated on Monday.