The Kerala Health Department has initiated a comprehensive investigation into a shocking incident at Thiruvananthapuram General Hospital. A multidisciplinary team of experts has been assembled to look into how a guidewire, used during a central line placement, was left inside a woman after she underwent thyroidectomy surgery two years ago.
During a session in the Assembly, Health Minister Veena George confirmed that the expert committee is actively probing the case. Patient Sumayya, along with the surgeon who performed the procedure and other members of the operating team, have all provided statements as part of the ongoing inquiry.
The patient’s thyroidectomy was performed on March 30, 2023. The guidewire’s presence went undetected until March 2025, when it unexpectedly appeared in an X-ray taken during a follow-up appointment at the Regional Cancer Centre for thyroid cancer.
In response to the severity of the case, the investigative committee has been expanded to include specialists such as interventional radiologists, cardiologists, and cardiothoracic surgeons, ensuring a thorough examination from all relevant medical perspectives.
Minister George further stated that immediate institutional measures have been implemented in light of the complaint. The Medical Education Department has developed new guidelines aimed at preventing similar surgical errors. Additionally, theatre staff will receive enhanced training and orientation on these updated protocols.
To improve transparency and communication, a faculty member from the surgical unit and a designated nursing officer will now be responsible for clearly informing patients’ families about their post-surgery status. These proactive steps aim to bolster patient safety and accountability within medical facilities.