Hong Kong: 85-year-old cancer patient dies after surgical error

An 85-year-old woman with sigmoid colon cancer in Hong Kong did not survive following a medical error during surgery.

According to South China Morning Post, the incident occurred in February at Tseung Kwan O Hospital, where the patient was admitted to treat an intestinal obstruction.

A transverse colostomy procedure was planned to divert part of the colon through an opening in the abdominal wall. However, due to a surgical mistake, part of the stomach was brought to the abdominal surface instead, and a stoma was created that connected to the stomach rather than the colon.

The error went unnoticed for several weeks. Although the patient’s condition initially appeared stable, doctors observed unusually high pressure in the stoma, but the significance of this finding was not recognised, delaying further examination.

On 1 March, her condition deteriorated sharply, developing hypotension and tachycardia. A CT scan eventually revealed the surgical mistake. Despite subsequent treatment, the patient did not survive.

An investigation was launched into the case. The hospital accepted the commission’s recommendations and reorganised its surgical department. The surgeon involved faces possible demotion over what was described as a “rookie mistake.”