When swelling wasn’t taken seriously: Doctor held liable for post-op neglect
Issue -
February - 2026, Posted On: 01 February 2026
The patient approached the doctor with ear pain and was advised to undergo tympanoplasty. Before the procedure, anesthesia was first injected into his hand — which soon caused swelling and redness. His family immediately alerted the doctor, but it was dismissed as a routine reaction. A second anesthesia dose was given behind the ear and surgery proceeded as planned. He was discharged the next day.
Over the week that followed, his hand continued to swell, pain increased and fever began. He kept returning to the same doctor, but each time he was reassured and sent home. Only when his condition became critical was he shifted to a higher centre — where he was diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis, linked to xylocaine hypersensitivity.
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