The patient, in mid-sixties with some psychiatric issues, sustained fracture of right femur. The orthopaedic surgeon performed ORIF procedure. But post-operatively, the operated site kept bleeding.
The old man was taken to two other hospitals. The wound was opened and re-sutured few times as it kept on bleeding. However, the source of bleeding could not be ascertained.
A senior orthopaedic surgeon was consulted. He advised angiogram of femoral artery. Aneurysm of profunda femoris artery - an extremely rare complication – was diagnosed. Unfortunately, the patient died before anything could be done about it.
His family sued the first orthopaedic surgeon, alleging that the doctor could not diagnose the post-operative complication.
The Consumer commission dismissed this allegation, observing that:
“The doctor performed ORIF with DHS for fracture of right trochanter. It was correct line of treatment; the operation was uneventful. I do not find any negligence or deviation from the standard of practice. It is evident that the patient had anxiety disorder and repeatedly tampered with the dressing. The patient was also referred to a senior doctor. In my view the referral was correct and made at an appropriate time”.
“The development of aneurysm of profunda femoris is an extremely rare occurrence. Naturally it does not come in the mind of a surgeon. The patient was transferred at second hospital under plastic surgery for further care. However, he suffered respiratory arrest, and could not be revived”.
Even the best of doctors can miss an extremely rare complication – could this verdict by top consumer court help patient’s family find closure? Let’s hope so.
Source : Order pronounced by National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission on 23rd February, 2023.