Woman dies after bariatric surgery

Two separate complaints of medical negligence were reported to the police from relatives of patients, who died in two leading hospitals in Kilpauk on Saturday. The Kilpauk police registered cases of unnatural death under section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Code in both incidents.

V. Balan, Inspector of Police, Kilpauk, said, “The bodies have been sent for post-mortem. Only after the receipt of the post-mortem reports will we approach the Medical Council of India for further action in the case. After obtaining the necessary clearance, we may decide on the further course of action.”

Valarmathi, who weighed over 160 kg due to congenital obesity, was admitted to the Lifeline Institute of Minimal Access in Kilpauk, and underwent bariatric surgery on August 26. Her two daughters and son also underwent bariatric surgery at the hospital. She died on Friday night. Shocked over her death, the other family members, who were under treatment, left the hospital.

After lodging a complaint with the Kilpauk police, Alagesan, her husband, complained of negligence on the part of the hospital and its doctors.

A senior health official said that based on the complaint, a two-member team from the Directorate of Medical and Rural Health Services had gone to inquire into the matter at the hospital. The inquiry report is awaited, as is the result of the post-mortem examination. Director of Medical and Rural Health Services P. Banu said all the reports had been collected from the hospital and their inquiry results would be submitted on Monday. “As per our preliminary inquiries, it does not seem to be negligence on the part of the doctors,” she said.

A statement from J.S. Rajkumar, founder, Lifeline Group of Hospitals, on behalf of Lifeline Institute of Minimal Access, said that the patient, Valarmathi, died at 1.10 a.m. on Saturday after she suffered a cardio-respiratory arrest from multi-organ failure, “despite the best efforts of 18 top specialists working round the clock for 27 days.”

The statement said Valarmathi weighed over 160 kg due to congenital severe obesity. She was breathless and unable to walk for very long. After a consultation on July 27, she, along with her two severely obese daughters and son, underwent bariatric surgery on August 26. She had undergone extensive pre-operative work-ups and was supervised by a lung specialist, anaesthetist and general physician. Her daughters and son underwent the same surgery successfully and have lost around 10 kg each over the last few weeks.

The statement claimed Valarmathi had been given treatment according to international protocols. She was brought to the hospital a few days before the surgery so that her lungs could be prepared. The procedures were done under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance scheme.

“Despite efforts in the post-operative period, her lungs progressively went into Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Every complication was managed by international recommendations. There was no ad hoc treatment given at any point of the time,” the statement added.

The statement also said that her husband and children were kept informed, and the risks were explained to the family.

“All the costs of her high antibiotics, anti-fungals, dialysis, critical care, ventilation, stenting etc. were borne by the hospital,” it said.

It also claimed that the hospital did not have knowledge of the fact that the patient had been admitted to Vellore and had required ventilator dependence a few years ago.

Death due to overdose

Yet another complaint was lodged by the brother of a patient who died after an overdose of anaesthesia at the KKR ENT Hospital for DNS correction. Sensing trouble, the police beefed up security for the hospital, located on the arterial EVR High Road. Sridhar, 35, of Kolathur, who was working in a private firm, was admitted for treatment of ear pain.

The hospital said the 35-year-old patient came in with a tumour in the nose. He had been operated on twice before.

He underwent surgery at the hospital but did not recover from anaesthesia. He was shifted to another hospital but could not be revived.