Surgeon Sued After Italian Woman Discovers 15cm Scissors in Abdomen

An Italian woman has initiated legal action against a surgeon after a pair of surgical scissors measuring 15 centimeters was discovered inside her abdomen several months after a medical procedure.

The discovery occurred after the patient experienced persistent health complications and pain following her initial surgery. These symptoms led to further medical examinations and diagnostic imaging, which revealed the presence of the metal instrument left behind in her abdominal cavity.

According to reporting by De Telegraaf on May 10, 2026, the instrument had remained undetected within the woman’s body for months. The patient required a second surgical intervention to safely remove the scissors from her abdomen.

Legal representatives for the woman have filed a lawsuit against the operating surgeon, alleging medical negligence. The claim focuses on the failure of the surgical team to follow standard safety protocols regarding the accounting of instruments during the operation.

In surgical practice, the prevention of retained surgical items (RSI) is managed through a rigorous counting process. This involves the surgical nurses and the operating team verifying that all sponges, needles, and instruments are accounted for before the surgical site is closed.

The lawsuit seeks damages for the physical trauma caused by the retained object and the necessity of a second corrective operation. The legal proceedings will examine whether the surgeon and the hospital staff adhered to the mandatory safety checklists and counting procedures during the first procedure.

The case is currently moving through the Italian legal system to determine the extent of the liability of the surgeon and the medical facility involved.