Surgical gauze left in 12-year-old patient post-tonsillectomy at private hospital

A piece of surgical gauze was inadvertently retained inside a 12-year-old patient following a tonsillectomy conducted at a private hospital, according to the Department of Health.

The department has confirmed that the patient's condition remains stable, noting that the retained gauze was identified promptly after the surgery, which took place in August. 

Upon receiving the report, the department initiated a follow-up procedure and requested an investigative report from the involved private hospital to be submitted within four weeks. 

The department emphasized that regulatory action will be taken if the investigation concludes that the hospital violated the Code of Practice for Private Hospitals.

While the department did not disclose the name of the hospital involved, sources indicated that the involved hospital is the Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital. 

In a statement, the hospital acknowledged that a visiting medical officer performed the tonsillectomy on the patient in August. Upon the patient's arrival in the recovery area, the medical officer conducted an assessment and discovered a piece of gauze left in the patient. 

The medical officer immediately took corrective action to remove the gauze, and the patient has since recovered and been discharged.