All doctors, please take note

My mother underwent a knee operation for a meniscal tear sustained after a fall. This operation was performed by a so-called reputed orthopaedic surgeon at a Colombo Hospital.

Following the surgery (which was rapidly arranged for her, and done with much enthusiasm), she developed swelling of the affected leg. She went into show the surgeon, and he said that “it had nothing to do with the surgery” and fobbed her off, presumably as his interest in her had now gone (surgery having been paid for at this time).

Fortunately, I went to see her the very next day and I suspected a blood clot and took her immediately to the hospital. A test confirmed this to be the case. This is a potentially life-threatening condition and any orthopaedic surgeon worth his salt will know to expect this as a complication.

Either this surgeon was not interested or incompetent. Sadly, I suspect it was the former. Had I not been in time to detect this, there could have been dire consequences.

Complications can happen. But disinterest after you have got what you can of the patient is inexcusable.

And nobody is infallible. Complications do occur and you should be able to admit it and treat these as well as part of good after-care.

I am writing this in the hope that some other good doctors realize that it is not something to be ashamed of and that if you have started a cycle of treatment, it is your duty to see it through, not jump off a sinking ship!!!

Not everyone has children who are doctors who are able to catch the mistakes made by the specialist!

- Darshini Wickramasinghe
Australia