NEW DELHI: A 62-year-old patient died when he was being operated upon by a Japanese surgeon as part of a live surgery workshop at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). There were allegations of negligence on the part of the AIIMS, but the hospital authority denied the same.
The victim has been identified as Shobha Ram. Following the incident, the hospital authority said the patient died of excessive bleeding caused due to complication during the surgery.
The AIIMS authority said Ram was suffering from liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Ram, who had developed liver cirrhosis after a hepatitis B infection, was referred to the AIIMS from Delhi government-run G B Pant Hospital. The surgery, which started at 9 am on July 31, was being broadcast live to a few surgeons. The surgery was being performed by Goro Honda from Japan.
“Honda continued with the laparoscopic surgery for almost seven hours, following which there was an excessive bleeding and the patient had to be shifted to the ICU where he died within an-hour-and-a-half,” the AIIMS authority said.
According to a statement issued by the AIIMS, the patient had a detailed preoperative assessment for feasibility of removing the tumour surgically. He was planned for a laparoscopic surgical resection by a very renowned and experienced surgeon.
“During the course of the surgery, there was bleeding, which is a known complication of the procedure. The procedure was converted to an open procedure and all measures were taken to control the bleeding. After controlling it, the patient was shifted to the ICU. The total surgical procedure lasted for about nine hours,” said the AIIMS statement. “Unfortunately, because of the underlying liver disease he didn’t do well and succumbed at 11.30 pm,” it added.