A surgeon who repeatedly ignored a patient’s agonised pleas for help after he left a needle inside her is being investigated by prosecutors after she died.
Divorced mum of one Elif Kesgin had gone to a private clinic in Istanbul, Turkey, suffering from an inflamed colon.
But after an op to relieve the condition Elif, it emerged, was in even worse pain than she was before, according to local media.
Clinic medics repeatedly sent her away telling her that her pain was psychosomatic, local media reported on 18th December.
But after four years of agony, she presented at a state hospital last January (2023) begging for treatment.
An X-ray revealed that the rusted tip of a needle which had been inside her digestive tract for years was causing her suffering.
But instead of simply removing the needle, the medical team told her to go back to her original surgeon.
Again instead of operating, the surgeon gave her a prescription for a stomach-calming treatment and told her to go home.
But as her pain increased Elif was rushed back to the clinic for emergency surgery in June but died shortly after the op.
Elif’s story only emerged after her family hired a lawyer who has urged prosecutors to investigate both hospitals for negligence.
Grieving mum Gonul Aksoy, dad Adil Aksoy, and Elif’s eight-year-old daughter Melek Inci say she suffered needlessly for years before she died.
Lawyer Handan Bakbak warned: “The law will hold those responsible accountable.”
He said about the failed emergency surgery in June: “Kesgin’s death was hidden from her family by the hospital management and doctors.
“Elif Kesgin’s mother was quickly taken out of the room.
“At that time, a heart massage was performed on the patient. Her skin turned cold and she was taken to intensive care.”
He added: “Three hours later, the family was told by the doctor that their daughter had passed away. They were devastated by pain.”
The lawyer accused the surgeon of distracting Elif and neglecting her torment.
Elif, who had separated from her husband, assumed that her initial abdominal pains had to do with her unhappy marriage and the stressful divorce and custody proceedings.
State prosecutors have not yet announced their decision.
To find out more about the author, editor or agency that supplied this story – please click below.
Story By: Thomas Hochwarter, Sub-Editor: Joe Golder, Agency: Newsflash
The Ananova page is created by and dedicated to professional, independent freelance journalists. It is a place for us to showcase our work. When our news is sold to our media partners, we will include the link here.
