"Proceeding with Surgery Without Confirmation" Japanese University Hospital Attaches Artificial Anus to Stomach Instead of Colon

2022 Colon Cancer Surgery Accident in Female Patient
Artificial Stoma Attached to Stomach Instead of Colon, Reoperation Performed
Patient's Husband "Severe Mental Distress" Files 60 Million Won Compensation Lawsuit

Tokai University Hachioji Hospital stock photo [Photo by Tokai University]

A university hospital in Japan came under scrutiny for attaching an artificial anus to the stomach instead of the colon.

On the 11th, Kyodo News reported that "a husband filed a lawsuit against a university hospital that attached an artificial anus to the stomach instead of the colon of his wife, who had colon cancer." Here is the story. A woman in her 50s was diagnosed with descending colon cancer (colon cancer) in July 2022 and was scheduled to undergo surgery to install an artificial anus on her colon. She underwent surgery on August 3rd, but a contrast examination on the 13th of the same month revealed that the artificial anus had been installed on the stomach.

On the same day, a reoperation was performed, and the artificial anus was reinstalled on the colon. Despite another doctor observing the first surgery, the operation proceeded without sufficient verification, resulting in a medical accident. The woman reportedly suffered extreme physical weakness due to lack of nutritional supplementation for about 10 days before the reoperation. Although her condition improved after the reoperation, she passed away in January this year due to descending colon cancer. Her death was not directly related to the surgery at that time.

However, the woman's husband filed a lawsuit against Tokai University at the Tokyo District Court, claiming 6.6 million yen (60 million won) in damages for the mental distress caused by the incorrect surgery.