A 17-year-old boy was severely electrocuted. He was rushed to the hospital from a local healthcare centre.
The orthopaedic surgeon performed CT angiography of upper limbs to ensure that blood flow was satisfactory. Thereafter, he performed LD flap surgery on the boy’s left hand to save exposed nerves, blood vessels and muscular tissues.
There was profuse bleeding from the operated site post-operatively. The doctor and paramedical staff tried their best to manage these severe and complicated conditions. Unfortunately, gangrene set in and the boy was transferred to another hospital.
He underwent amputation of left hand below elbow and right trans-metatarsal amputation.
Losing limbs at such a young age shook the boy and his parents to the core. They sued the hospital and orthopaedic surgeon.
It was alleged that severe burn injuries required treatment in separate burn unit, which the hospital did not have. Instead of transferring the patient to a higher centre, he was treated negligently leading to amputation of limbs.
The doctor stated that LD flap procedure was inevitable in order to save the maximum part of limb, as soft tissue and blood vessels were totally damaged and bone was exposed due to severe burn injury.
The Commission observed that patient’s upper and lower limbs were badly charred, leading to onset of gangrene and subsequent amputation. The orthopaedic surgeon provided reasonable care, but erred on one crucial aspect.
“LD flap is a specialized surgery that involves complex procedure with micro-vascular surgery. It was the domain of plastic surgeons, who deal with such cases more efficiently. It is pertinent to note that the hospital was in Jaipur and certainly the availability of qualified plastic surgeons was not an issue. The orthopaedic surgeon could have taken a plastic surgeon’s assistance or opinion during the procedure. Therefore, he shall not absolve himself from the liability for the act of omission, though he acted in best interest of the patient”.
The doctor and hospital had to dole out twenty lakh rupees in compensation to patient’s family for this error.
Source : Order pronounced by National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission on 3rd March, 2023.