Toddler sustains burns during tonsil removal
A 23-month-old girl was badly burnt when her parents took her to have her tonsils removed on the morning of November 24.
The incident happened at Netcare Linmed Hospital in Rynfield.
The parents, who wanted to remain anonymous to protect the privacy of their toddler, said the girl suffered burns on her tongue, gums and lips.
“The doctor said it will be a short operation: 30 minutes in theatre and 15 minutes in recovery – a total of 45 minutes,” said the mother.
According to the mother, the girl’s procedure was scheduled for 8.30am.
The doctor approached the parents by 10am, the mother said.
“He only said ‘there was a flame and she was burnt’,” said the mother.
“After that he left and said [my daughter] could be discharged.”
She then told the City Times that a nurse was adamant they rather keep their daughter in the hospital for observation.
“The nurses were the ones who helped us,” said the girl’s father.
The nurses could not get in contact with the doctor.
The father said he spoke to a manager at the hospital.
“The manager blamed the doctor and the doctor blamed the equipment,” he said, explaining it as a vicious cycle.
The parents said all they want is accountability and to know exactly what had happened.
“We couldn’t even open her mouth after the surgery; her tongue was swollen and she stopped talking,” said the mother.
She said her wounds were severe, but the hospital tried to undermine the gravity thereof.
“The doctor first said she will be healed in three days, then he said a week and now it is three weeks,” said the frustrated mother.
The parents are also worried about long-term effects.
“We don’t know if she sustained any permanent damage to her throat or anywhere else,” said the father.
The mother said the girl is also struggling to eat, and she mostly feeds her soft food.
Netcare Linmed Hospital general manager Ben Rood said it was the first incident of this nature that they are aware of at their hospital.
Roos explained: “The endotracheal tube that was inserted into the little girl’s throat flashed a flame at the end of the surgical procedure, while the surgeon was using a diathermy blade to cauterise blood vessels in the area of the procedure.”
The girl’s grandfather said he understands the diathermy blade might have been the source of the flame, but he doesn’t understand what the accelerant was.
According to the parents, the doctor said it might have been methane gas escaping from the girl’s stomach.
Roos said an investigation has been launched and is still ongoing.
“We will liaise directly with the girl’s parents with regard to the findings,” he said.
Also read: Driver seriously injured in Tom Jones Street accident involving truck
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