Doctor reportedly severs patient's tendon during tumor surgery

A doctor has reportedly been severed a blood vessel in a woman’s leg while performing surgery to remove a tumor at a private hospital in Madaripur.

The patient, Anu Begum, 55, of Char Kalikapur village in Madaripur Sadar upazila, underwent the first surgery at Nur Jahan Selim Niramoy Hospital in the town under physician Mahmudul Hasan Masum. After complications developed, she underwent a second operation at the same hospital. Her family has demanded action against the doctor.

According to her relatives, Anu consulted Mahmudul Hasan Masum after experiencing pain in her leg. She subsequently underwent several tests, including an ECG, ultrasonography and X-rays. Following the examinations, doctors decided to remove a tumor from her ankle.

The surgery began on Friday morning. The family alleged that the doctor was unable to complete the procedure even after about one and a half hours. They claimed that a blood vessel in Anu’s leg was cut during the operation, resulting in heavy bleeding.

A second surgery was later performed at the same hospital under the supervision of physician Ruhul Amin Chayan. Anu was taken to a hospital bed after about three hours.

The family said the incident has raised uncertainty over whether Anu will be able to walk normally again. They have accused the doctor of negligence and demanded an investigation.

Anu’s son Bablu Khan said they believed the complications resulted from an error during the surgery. He said his mother had walked into the clinic on her own but was now facing serious difficulties after the operation.

Anu said she had been able to walk normally before the surgery. She expressed concern about whether she would be able to walk in the future because of the complications that developed after the operation.

The family said they have already spent around Tk 40,000 on medical treatment, medicines and other expenses. They also claimed that the hospital has issued an additional bill of Tk 70,000. The family said it was difficult for Anu’s husband, Bulu Khan, a farmer, to bear the expenses.

Doctor Mahmudul Hasan Masum, however, attributed the complications to problems with the patient’s diagnostic reports. He said a second surgery was performed in consultation with other doctors after assessing the situation, and claimed that the patient was not facing any major health risk.

Madaripur Civil Surgeon Dr Md Shariful Abedin Kamal said the authorities would investigate and take necessary action if a written complaint was submitted. He said that if such a situation occurred during tumor surgery, the clinic authorities could not avoid responsibility.

According to sources, Mahmudul Hasan Masum is an assistant professor in the Surgery Department of the National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital in Dhaka’s Mohakhali. He sees patients at the Madaripur hospital every Friday.