Kerala woman's stomach 5 years ago, facing probe now 

The doctors of Kozhikode Medical College, on September 17, operated on her to remove a 'mosquito artery forceps' that had been in her stomach for the past five years.

By India Today Web Desk: For five years, Harshina - now 30, has been living with excruciating pain. She was put on strong antibiotics by doctors to subdue her pain which became unbearable over the last six months. As she went to a private hospital for a check-up, scans revealed a metal object in her stomach - a pair of forceps that doctors forgot to remove after her last cesarean in 2017. 

The doctors of Kozhikode Medical College, on September 17, operated on her to remove a 'mosquito artery forceps' that had been in her stomach for the past five years. 

The forceps are scissors-like equipment used by surgeons to clamp bleeding vessels during surgeries. 

The woman underwent her third cesarean at the Kozhikode Medical College in 2017. The earlier two were at private hospitals, she said.

After the third surgery, I began feeling severe pain. I thought it was due to cesarean surgery. I approached many doctors, and PTI quoted her as saying.

"The metal object was poking my urinary bladder and was causing infection. The pain became unbearable," she added.

She then approached the government medical college and the doctors took the forceps after surgery. 

Harsha has filed a complaint against doctors for leaving the forceps inside her body while performing the surgery five years ago. 

Acting on her complaint, Kerala State Health Minister Veena George on Saturday ordered a probe into the incident and asked the Health Secretary to submit a report soon, reported news agency PTI. 

"Stern action will be taken against those who are responsible," the minister said in a statement. 

The Kozhikode Medical College has also ordered a probe.