14.10.2026 11:18
It has emerged that a surgical gauze (sponge) was left in the body of 55-year-old Serap Konuşkan, who underwent gallbladder surgery in Manisa in 2022, and that the gauze eventually perforated her large intestine and lodged inside it. Because of the incident, which was also reflected in the forensic medicine report, a case was filed against 2 doctors on charges of 'misconduct in office,' seeking a prison sentence of 3 months to 1 year.
It has emerged that a surgical gauze (sponge) was left in the body of Serap Konuşkan (55), who had gallbladder surgery 4 years ago in MANISA. Following Konuşkan's criminal complaint, a case was filed against 2 doctors, seeking a prison sentence of 3 months to 1 year for the crime of 'misconduct in office'. Serap Konuşkan said, "For 4 years it has been hindering my vital activities. It is a very difficult process. I will follow the trial process."
AFTER SURGERY, SHE COULD NOT RECOVER
Serap Konuşkan, who lives in Manisa, is married and the mother of 2 children, applied to Foça State Hospital in Izmir, where she was living at the time, on June 13, 2022, with complaints of burning, acidity, and pain in her stomach. An ultrasound examination determined that Konuşkan had stones in her gallbladder. After being told that the surgery should be performed in a better-equipped hospital, Konuşkan applied to Manisa City Hospital. Konuşkan was operated on by general surgeon Y.Ö. on June 28, 2022. Although a long time passed after she was discharged, Konuşkan did not recover and her health problems continued, so she went to Izmir City Hospital for a check-up. There, Konuşkan was told that there was a large mass in her colon. Applying to a private health center in Manisa, Konuşkan learned that during her previous gallbladder surgery, surgical gauze had been left in her body and that this object had perforated her colon and lodged inside it. Konuşkan, who applied to the Manisa City Hospital Chief Physician's Office and submitted a complaint petition, this time was operated on by Dr. S.Ö. on February 14, 2024. Konuşkan claimed that despite her insistence, the gauze removed during the surgery was not given to her.
CASE FILED AGAINST TWO DOCTORS
Konuşkan, whose health problems continued, filed a criminal complaint with the Manisa Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. Within the scope of the investigation, a case was filed against Y.Ö. and S.Ö., seeking a prison sentence of 3 months to 1 year for the crime of 'misconduct in office'. The indictment was accepted by the Manisa 1st Criminal Court of First Instance. The report prepared by the Forensic Medicine Institute Presidency's 7th Specialization Board was also included. The report stated that in the colonoscopy performed on February 6, 2024, it was understood that a foreign object (sponge) had been left in Konuşkan's body during the surgery performed by Y.Ö.
'YOUR LIFE IS A MIRACLE'
Describing what she experienced, Serap Konuşkan said, "In 2022, I had gallbladder surgery at Manisa City Hospital by laparoscopic method. After the surgery, I had pain. However, 1.5 years later it became very severe. I applied to Izmir City Hospital. In the scans performed here, it was determined that there was a large mass in my colon filled with small sacs. Thereupon, I had this scan done again at a private center in Manisa. The doctor there, with great surprise, said, 'Your life is a miracle. A gauze has been left inside you and this gauze has perforated your colon and entered it. You must have surgery immediately.' He said that this would be a serious surgery and would include various stages."
Konuşkan continued her words as follows:
"Thereupon, I applied again to the Manisa City Hospital Chief Physician's Office. I met with them together with the report in my hand. They also accepted that it was a sponge. They said the surgery should be here. They said they would help. I went into surgery. During this surgery, the piece removed from inside me was not shown to me or given to me. I stayed in intensive care. I went through a very severe intensive care process. Within 3 days after I left intensive care, my stitches burst. A large amount of blood flowed from inside my abdomen. I stayed in the hospital for about 24 days."
Konuşkan, who said she went through a very difficult process, said, "I was exposed to radiation many times. Scans were performed. Fluid accumulated in my liver, and the fluid was drained. I was told that my lungs had collapsed. I had become unable to breathe. After leaving the hospital, I went to an infectious disease doctor and a chest doctor again. I received infection and chest treatment for 7-8 months. During this process, the inside of my abdomen remained open for about 2 months again. My stitches did not close. I had another surgery in Manisa. I need to have one more surgery. Neither I nor my family have any patience left."
Stating that she has had difficulty maintaining her daily life for the last 4 years, Konuşkan said, "For 4 years, my bending and standing up, lying down, doing work, and all kinds of my social life have been preventing my vital activities. It is a very difficult process for me. I will follow the trial process so that other people after me are not victimized and my grievance is remedied. I hope no one else gets hurt like this from now on."