CHENNAI: On her 18th birthday, doctors at the Periyar Nagar government peripheral hospital here told footballer Priya R that a surgery to repair torn ligaments in her right knee will help her play better. Little did she imagine that she would end up with her leg amputated above the knee because doctors botched up the surgery.
On Monday, the freshman in physical education at Queen Mary's College was lying unconscious in the intensive care unit of the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital after two follow-up surgeries since the first surgery on November 7. "She underwent a second follow-up surgery on Monday. They told us they may remove her remaining limb from the hip joint. That didn't happen, but they cleared out some dead tissues from around the amputated area. They are treating her for elevated salt content. Her condition is critical," said her brother R Lawrence.
Doctors at the RGGGH said she will remain sedated and on ventilator. They are keeping close watch on her kidneys and liver. "Her condition is stable now, but she will be intensely monitored by a team of doctors," said hospital dean Theranirajan E.
An inquiry ordered by state health department showed negligence on the part of doctors at Periyar Nagar. On Monday, health minister Ma Subramanian said the state will help her rehabilitation with a high-end robotic artificial limb and physiotherapy and also consider her request for a government job.