Chennai: Man lodges complaint against doctor alleging surgical error

Chennai: A 27-year-old call taxi driver, on Monday, lodged a complaint against his doctor, alleging surgical error, causing paralysis to both his legs and the inability to control his urination.  

Stating that the medical error has deteriorated his life quality, D. Raja, a Vyasarapadi resident, filed a CSR (Community Service Register)  at the Kilpauk Police station against Dr Sankar, a neurosurgeon and an associate professor at Stanley Medical College and Hospital. Raja had approached the neurosurgeon to treat his lower back pain, which was hindering movement on his left side.

According to the CSR copy, possessed by Deccan Chronicle, Raja has lost sensation in both his legs after the surgery, developed constipation and had to start using urinary bags.

“After going through the scans, the doctor had prescribed a surgery stating that my disc had collapsed. I had paid Rs 75,000 to undergo a surgery at Kumaran Hospital, where he is a consultant,” Raja told Deccan Chronicle.

He had undergone the surgery on October 6 and saw a steep deterioration in his health condition since. The doctor had suggested another surgery to remove the edema, at Stanley Hospital.

“I underwent the surgery for free at Stanley Hospital, expecting my situation to improve. However, I was wrong,” he said. The doctor had allegedly assured the patient of an improvement within a year.

Having been out of his job for over four-and-a-half months, Raja was forced into endless debts caused by his medical bills.

“Adding to my plight, my marriage, which had been arranged, was called off. I have literally become a vegetable,” he said, extremely distressed. “My widowed mother is working as a maid to make ends meet. My medical bills are escalating as I need to spend '1,000 for the urine bag, which needs to be changed, once in ten days,” he added.

“Raja had suffered extreme lower back pain associated with disc collapse and nerve compression. If the surgery was not performed, it could have led to permanent paralysis of both his legs. His situation will improve gradually, with regular medication,” said Dr Sankar.

Admitting that he did not expect the complications, the doctor said, “We had relieved the compressed nerves, which are now weak. However, it will improve with time. But he has not been attending the post-surgery consultations, which is a must.”