Towel ‘left in woman’s belly after operation’

A doctor on Thursday told a court how he removed a towel left inside a woman’s belly following surgery.

The surgeon at Maua Methodist Hospital, Dr Ephraim Maina, told a Meru court how a towel usually used to wrap surgical equipment was found in the woman’s abdomen days after she had undergone a caesarean delivery at another hospital.

Ms Millicent Muthoni had complained of pains in the abdomen, vomiting, and lack of appetite. The doctor said her intestines had been blocked, causing swelling and the wound had become septic.

“We operated on her to check what was wrong and found a green towel. It had blocked the intestines and hindered the healing of her scar,” said Dr Maina.

The operation to remove the towel was performed 20 days after she had delivered. Meru district hospital superintendent Justus Ngatia told the court that Ms Muthoni had been operated on at the hospital 20 days prior to the removal of the towel.

They were testifying in a case where Ms Muthoni, a nurse at Igembe district hospital, has sued Dr Njenga Muraya, who helped her deliver, for professional negligence.

Also enjoined in the suit is Attorney General Amos Wako. The hearing continues on April 14.