Failure to identify a bowel injury turned postnatal care into prolonged medical negligence
Issue -
March - 2026, Posted On: 01 March 2026
A woman was admitted for her second delivery and underwent a caesarean section along with sterilisation. She was discharged after surgery, but from the very beginning complained of persistent abdominal pain and discomfort at the surgical site. These complaints were repeatedly downplayed as routine post-operative symptoms, and she was reassured with pain medication and advice for rest.
Over the following weeks, her condition worsened. Fever developed, pain persisted, and discharge appeared at the surgical wound. Despite multiple consultations, the treating doctor continued to attribute the symptoms to minor infection or urinary issues, prescribing medicines and advising bed rest. Even when the patient was readmitted, the focus remained on wound care and drainage, without identifying the underlying cause.
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