MISTAKE MADE BY SURGEON

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27603, 9 March 1955, Page 13

MISTAKE MADE BY SURGEON

Gall Bladder Removed In Error

(Rec. 11 p.m.) DETROIT. March 8. A woman who entered a hospital operating room for Surgery on a hand and left the operating table with her gall bladder missing, has received 7500 dollars in an out-of-Court settlement with the surgeon. The woman, Mrs Stella Mrozowski, aged 37, had claimed 100,000 dollars from Dr. Russell Lynch. The settlement was announced in the Circuit Court yesterday. Mrs Mrozowski claimed that on April 17, 1952, she was rushed to the hospital after two fingers of her right hand had been severed in an accident at a factory where she worked.

When she awoke after the operation she said she discovered her abdomen was bandaged, and was told skin had been removed for grafting purposes. Later, she said, she discovered her gall bladder had been removed. Dr. Lynch said he was an innocent party. He said he was notified that a patient was ready for surgery, and in spite of. the fact that he was assisted by the family doctor of the other patient, did not discover he was operating on the wrong person until the operation was nearly over. After the operation, he said, he treated Mrs Mrozowski’s hand.

Besides, he said, her gall bladder was in poor condition.