Faisalabad Forceps Case: Surgical Negligence Sparks Inquiry
A doctor in Faisalabad has allegedly left surgical forceps inside a patient’s chest during open-heart surgery. The incident took place at a cardiology institute and has triggered an official inquiry. The case has raised serious concerns about surgical safety and hospital procedures.
Patient Background and Surgery
A 22-year-old patient, Saqlain, from Toba Tek Singh was admitted for treatment of a hole in the heart. Cardiologist Dr Zaigham Rasool reportedly performed the open-heart surgery on 4 April. The procedure initially appeared to go as planned. However, complications later emerged after discharge.
Discovery of the Surgical Instrument
The issue came to light when the patient began suffering severe chest pain. As a result, doctors ordered further medical tests. An X-ray later revealed surgical forceps inside the patient’s chest. Therefore, the medical team confirmed that a foreign object had been left during surgery.
Second Operation and Inquiry Findings
Following the discovery, doctors carried out another operation on 23 April to remove the forceps. The patient is now under observation and recovering. The Medical Superintendent of the Faisalabad Institute of Cardiology said the matter was reported after complications developed. An internal inquiry was launched immediately.
According to Dr Nadeem, the investigation found that staff nurses failed to properly count surgical instruments after the procedure. This negligence reportedly led to the serious lapse. Therefore, both nurses involved were removed and sent to the secretary’s disposal after the inquiry.
Health officials say strict monitoring is necessary to prevent such errors in future surgeries. They also stressed the importance of instrument counting protocols in every operation. In addition, hospital management is reviewing its safety procedures to improve accountability.
The incident has sparked public concern over surgical standards and patient safety. Authorities continue to monitor the case and may introduce further corrective actions soon.
