Patient Denounces 18cm Surgical Scissors Left in Abdomen After Hysterectomy
A patient in Bragança Paulista, Brazil, is denouncing a situation where 18-centimeter surgical scissors were allegedly left inside her abdomen following a hysterectomy. Érica Cristina Bannai Von Hoonholtz underwent the procedure at the Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Bragança Paulista. An X-ray image reportedly shows the surgical instrument within her body. Von Hoonholtz claims the scissors remained inside her for approximately three months before being discovered in April. She described experiencing excruciating pain, stating it felt like 'something wanted to come out of me.'
Following the discovery, Von Hoonholtz was rushed back into surgery on April 11. During this procedure, doctors found the scissors and discovered that a portion of her small intestine had necrosed. She has since undergone a total of four surgeries, including the initial hysterectomy, the removal of the scissors, a hernia repair and abscess drainage, and an operation for a liver abscess. The patient is currently recovering and undergoing psychological support, along with her three children, as offered by the hospital. The Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Bragança Paulista has reportedly acknowledged the incident and is covering her medical expenses since she lost her health insurance. Lawyers for the surgeon reportedly approached her with a settlement offer shortly after the scissors were removed, but negotiations did not progress. Von Hoonholtz also alleges the surgeon had previously pushed for a private cosmetic surgery costing R$8,500.
This incident highlights a critical lapse in surgical protocol, potentially stemming from inadequate instrument counts or patient monitoring post-operation. The prolonged presence of a foreign object like surgical scissors within a patient's body raises serious questions about the hospital's internal safety procedures and quality assurance mechanisms. While the hospital is reportedly providing assistance, the case underscores the need for robust accountability frameworks in healthcare to prevent such egregious errors. Future oversight should focus on reinforcing surgical team communication, implementing advanced tracking technologies for instruments, and establishing clear protocols for patient follow-up to ensure timely detection of complications, thereby safeguarding patient well-being and maintaining public trust in medical institutions.
AI-generated to prompt reflection — not editorial opinion, not advice, not a statement of fact. How this works.