15cm Medical Gauze Found Inside the Abdomen of a Mother Who Underwent Cesarean Section Surgery

Vomiting and Diarrhea After Cesarean Section Surgery

Medical gauze found inside the mother's womb. Photo by the mother's family.

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Bong-ju] Medical gauze measuring 13 to 15 cm was found inside the abdomen of a mother who underwent a cesarean section at an obstetrics and gynecology clinic in Jeju.

According to the family of the mother, Ms. A (33), she gave birth to her first child via cesarean section at an obstetrics and gynecology clinic in Jeju city on the 18th of last month.

Afterwards, Ms. A experienced symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea and visited a nearby general hospital for treatment.

As a result of the examination, medical gauze measuring 13 to 15 cm was confirmed inside Ms. A's abdomen.

Ms. A underwent surgery to remove the gauze and was discharged on the 3rd. It is reported that she is currently receiving outpatient treatment.

Ms. A's side stated that the gauze inside her abdomen was pressing against the rectum and small intestine, and that even an obstetric ultrasound examination at the clinic failed to detect the gauze inside her abdomen.

Ms. A's side also revealed that she has shown symptoms of depression due to the mental shock caused by this incident. Furthermore, they claimed that despite this situation, it was not the director of the obstetrics and gynecology clinic who performed the cesarean section but another staff member who informed them about the insurance processing procedure over the phone, and that the clinic has not offered a proper apology.

The obstetrics and gynecology clinic reportedly stated that they visited the hospital where the mother underwent the gauze removal surgery in person but, due to restrictions on visits caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, they apologized over the phone and expressed their intention to compensate.