Cancer patient dies during live surgery at AIIMS; hospital denies it

Following medical complications during a live surgery, a 62-year-old man died in a medical seminar at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

AIIMS issued a statement in which it has mentioned that the patient had liver cirrhosis due to hepatitis B virus infection and liver cancer.

Who is the deceased?

• The man identified is Shobha Ram, who was suffering from liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. AIIMS doctors had chosen him for demonstrating tumor removal through a minimally invasive procedure during a workshop. Ram was referred to AIIMS from the Delhi government-run GB Pant Hospital.

• Ram's family members have alleged that the doctors struggled for nearly four hours with the procedure and he died because of their negligence.

The Live Surgery

• In order to attend the workshop several students and medical experts from various countries were present at the workshop to witness the surgery.

• Experts from Japan were helping the team of AIIMS doctors during the live surgery.

• During the surgery the patient started bleeding and his condition started deteriorating. Seeing his condition, the experts suggested for performing an open procedure instead of the laparoscopic procedure.

• The open surgery continued for almost seven hours, after which Ram was moved to the intensive care unit (ICU). According to the family members, the doctors told them that due to excessive blood loss, they could not save his life.

What are the authorities claiming?

• AIIMS has issued a statement in which it has mentioned that the patient had liver cirrhosis due to hepatitis B virus infection and liver cancer.

• The patient had a detailed pre-operative assessment for feasibility of removing the tumour surgically. The patient was planned for a laparoscopic surgical resection by a very renowned and experienced surgeon. During the course of the surgery there was bleeding, which increased the complications. The procedure was then converted to an open procedure and all measures were taken to control the bleeding.

• The bleeding was controlled and the patient was shifted to the ICU. The total surgical procedure lasted for about 9 hours. Unfortunately, because of the underlying liver disease, he succumbed.