Woman sues hospital over missing ovary

Source:Globaltimes.cn Published: 2013-10-31 16:50:04

A woman in Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province has filed a lawsuit against a local hospital who she claims mistakenly removed her ovary during a pelvic operation.

The 46-year-old woman surnamed Liu told the Yunlong district court that she is seeking an undisclosed amount in damages from the Xuzhou Women's Health Clinic, where she underwent surgery for uterine adenomyosis - or abnormal growth of uterine tissue - in October last year. 

She was alerted to her missing reproductive organ during a follow up examination on November 2, when doctors "failed to see" her ovary while conducting an ultrasound.

"I would just like to know where my left ovary went? How could it be that it's just gone?" said Liu.

Liu said she became suspicious when she asked the hospital to produce her medical records, where she noticed slight changes had been made. She sought a second opinion at another hospital where doctors also failed to detect it.

"Following the ultrasound and endocrine examination, doctors can not determine with precision whether the patient is missing an ovary," the Xuzhou Medical Association issued in a statement on September 25.

Xia Yujuan, director of medical education at Xuzhou Women's Health Clinic, claims the records are the same in content, but are only written slightly different.

"Doctors believe that Liu had undergone multiple surgeries previous to her operation, and just because her ovary was not visible does not mean that it is missing," said Xia, who explained Liu had a history of pelvic adhesions.

Liu had a caesarian performed at another hospital in 2007, but according to records her ovaries were left intact. 

"Doctors detected both my ovaries before the operation, and I hadn't had any other surgeries since then," said Liu.

The court has yet to issue a ruling.

Yangtze Evening Post



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