A surgeon mistakenly removed the wrong part of a lung when operating to remove a cancer tumour - and the patient lost the whole lung
A surgeon mistakenly removed the wrong part of a lung when operating to remove a cancer tumour - and the patient lost the whole lung
17 February 2025
The man's daughter complained to the Health and Disability Commissioner, saying he's had a difficult recovery since 2020, and couldn't return to work.
Open Justice reports the man in his 60s now has cancer in his other lung, but because it's his only one, can't have an operation.
Commissioner Morag McDowell found the surgeon's error came from the lung having twisted 180 degrees.
They've accepted full responsibility and have apologised in person to the man and his wife.
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