Surgeon Forgets 15cm Forceps in Woman’s Abdomen During Surgery in Naples
Naples, May 12, 2026 – A 53-year-old woman who underwent an abdominoplasty in Naples in October of last year discovered, after seven months of intense pain and illness, that a 15-centimeter surgical forceps had been left inside her abdomen. The instrument was eventually removed, and an investigation into medical negligence has been launched by the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The Abdominoplasty and Subsequent Complications
The woman underwent the abdominoplasty procedure at a private clinic in Naples. Following the operation, she experienced severe pain, nausea, and fainting spells. Despite her deteriorating condition, the surgeon who performed the initial operation reportedly reassured her that these symptoms were a normal part of post-operative recovery, prescribing only analyses and antibiotics.
According to the woman’s daughter, who spoke to RAI news, her mother “was not well from the very beginning of the operation last October.” She further stated that the doctor who performed the surgery had been consulted multiple times but never suggested further diagnostic tests like an ultrasound or a CT scan to investigate the persistent symptoms.
Discovery of the Foreign Object and Its Removal
Unsatisfied with the reassurances and continuing to suffer, the patient sought medical attention at another hospital. A CT scan revealed the presence of a 15-centimeter surgical forceps in her abdomen. “We didn’t give up, and it was our decision to have the CT scan,” her daughter explained on Mattino 5.
The forceps were subsequently removed, seven months after the initial abdominoplasty. The woman’s daughter expressed relief, stating, “After seven months, it’s a miracle that mom is still with us.”
Legal Action and Ongoing Investigation
The Public Prosecutor’s Office has initiated an investigation into the incident, with the hypothesis of negligent injury. The woman’s lawyer, speaking on Mattino 5, highlighted the “strong carelessness in the checks” and mentioned that the patient had felt something moving inside her abdomen.
Despite the private clinic where the abdominoplasty was performed offering to remove the forceps, the family refused, citing fear, and opted for the procedure to be carried out at a different hospital. The lawyer noted that the biological damage is still unquantifiable, as the woman remains hospitalized. They are awaiting her discharge and medical records to assess any collateral damage beyond the prolonged pain she endured.
The lawyer also confirmed that he has been contacted by legal representatives of the private clinic, who have stated that the facility has no intention of “evading its responsibility.”
Broader Context of Medical Errors
This incident is not isolated, as similar cases of surgical instruments being left inside patients have been reported globally. Such events underscore the critical importance of stringent protocols and checks in operating theaters to ensure patient safety.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of medical errors and the need for patients to advocate for themselves when their concerns are not adequately addressed.
