Kolkata Patient Loses Appendix: A disturbing case of medical negligence has emerged from East Midnapore, West Bengal, where a police constable was operated upon for suspected gallstones, only for the doctors to discover during surgery that he never had a gallbladder. In a hasty decision, the surgeon instead removed the patient’s appendix—a procedure unrelated to the original diagnosis.
The patient, Suman Bera, a serving constable of the West Bengal Police, now finds himself recovering from an unnecessary appendectomy, while still suffering from the abdominal pain that led to the misdiagnosis.
This incident has triggered sharp criticism from healthcare experts and the intervention of the West Bengal Clinical Establishment Regulatory Commission (WBCERC), which has ordered full reimbursement and possible legal redress.
A Surgery Based on a Missing Organ
Bera first sought treatment for persistent abdominal pain, undergoing ultrasound examinations at two separate diagnostic centers in East Midnapore. Both facilities diagnosed him with gallstones, recommending a cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal surgery).
On the basis of these diagnoses, Bera underwent surgery at Durga Maternity and Child Care Hospital. But when the operating surgeon began the procedure, they discovered something startling: there was no gallbladder to remove.
Caught off-guard, the surgeon decided to remove the appendix, assuming it could be the source of the pain. The patient was not consulted during this critical change of plan.
Kolkata Patient Loses Appendix: What is Gallbladder Agenesis?
Bera’s case was later referred to Midnapore Medical College, where advanced imaging confirmed he suffers from congenital gallbladder agenesis—a condition in which the gallbladder never develops. This condition is extremely rare, occurring in approximately 1 in 6,000 to 10,000 individuals.
Learn more about gallbladder agenesis from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI):
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3111536/
Medical literature states that many people with this condition may never know they lack a gallbladder unless symptoms appear. But even then, the absence of the organ should be detected in imaging, provided radiologists are trained and aware of such anomalies.
WBCERC Steps In: Refund Ordered
Upon receiving a formal complaint, the West Bengal Clinical Establishment Regulatory Commission (WBCERC) reviewed Bera’s case. The commission concluded that both diagnostic centers failed to perform basic diligence, and the operating hospital failed to verify the findings through advanced imaging before proceeding to surgery.
The commission ordered the following:
- Full reimbursement of medical expenses incurred by Bera.
- A formal advisory issued to the diagnostic centers involved.
- Recommendations to upgrade diagnostic standards and surgical protocols across the state.
The regulatory body also encouraged Bera to file a legal complaint for medical negligence under applicable sections of Indian medical malpractice law.
⚖️ Reference:
Read more about patient rights and medical negligence under Indian law:
https://www.indiacode.nic.in/handle/123456789/2071?view_type=browse (Indian Medical Council Act)
https://main.mohfw.gov.in/acts-rules-and-standards-health-sector (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare)
How Could This Happen?
1. Ultrasound Errors
Ultrasounds, though widely used, are not always effective in identifying gallbladder agenesis. Soft tissue structures can mislead an untrained or inattentive radiologist, especially in rural or semi-urban diagnostic centers.
🧪 For detailed imaging of the biliary system, MRCP (Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography) is the gold standard.
https://radiopaedia.org/articles/magnetic-resonance-cholangiopancreatography
2. Surgical Protocol Failures
Medical ethics dictate that if an organ presumed to be diseased is not found during surgery, the procedure should be halted and further investigations should be initiated—not substituted with a different, unplanned surgery.
Yet in Bera’s case, his appendix was removed on speculation, despite no clinical evidence of appendicitis.
Expert Opinions
Dr. Amitava Sengupta, a Kolkata-based general surgeon, called the case “an unacceptable violation of surgical protocol.”
“You cannot shift the objective of a surgery mid-operation without clear pathological evidence. Removing the appendix ‘just in case’ is not only unethical but also dangerous.”
Similarly, Dr. Pradip Naskar, a radiologist at a tertiary hospital in Kolkata, noted that double confirmation through imaging should be mandatory before organ-removal surgeries.
Patient Speaks: “I Trusted Them”
Bera, now back at home and recovering, said:
“I went in to get rid of the pain. Now I’ve lost my appendix, the pain is still there, and I feel cheated. I trusted the medical reports and the doctors. I didn’t deserve this.”
He added that while he is thankful for the intervention of WBCERC, he now intends to pursue legal compensation for the distress and risks he was put through.
Diagnostic Chain of Errors
| Stage | Medical Action | What Went Wrong |
|---|---|---|
| Initial diagnosis | Gallstones detected via ultrasound | Misinterpretation due to lack of gallbladder |
| Surgical plan | Gallbladder removal | No MRCP or CT confirmation |
| During surgery | Gallbladder not found | Appendix removed without confirmation |
| Post-surgery | Patient left in pain | Underlying issue unresolved |
Calls for Reform
This incident has prompted calls for state-wide reforms, including:
- Mandatory second opinion for organ-removal surgery.
- Advanced imaging requirement (MRCP/CT) for unclear ultrasound reports.
- Stronger regulation of private diagnostic centers under WBCERC.
Organizations like the Indian Medical Association (IMA) have also weighed in, urging a re-evaluation of surgical training programs and stricter certification for radiologists.
Learn about IMA policies here:
https://www.ima-india.org/ima/
Previous Similar Incidents
This isn’t the first time Indian healthcare has faced scrutiny for surgical errors:
- In 2022, a woman in Kerala had her uterus removed instead of her appendix.
- In 2018, a man in Rajasthan lost a healthy kidney due to a diagnostic mix-up.
- In 2017, the AIIMS Ethics Committee called for nationwide surgical audits after a surge in wrong-site surgeries.
Public Awareness is Crucial
Healthcare experts and patient rights groups say patients should be encouraged to:
- Demand copies of diagnostic imaging.
- Ask for second opinions, especially before surgeries.
- Inquire about alternatives to surgery, like medical therapy or watchful waiting.
A recent study by the Lancet Commission on Surgery in India pointed out that over 30% of surgeries in semi-urban clinics are performed without proper diagnostic documentation.
Read more:
https://www.thelancet.com/commissions/global-surgery
Conclusion: A Teachable Moment for Indian Healthcare
The case of Suman Bera is not just a personal tragedy—it is a wake-up call. While healthcare in India has made great strides in terms of accessibility and infrastructure, quality and accountability still lag, especially in non-metro regions.
A man went in to have a gallbladder removed, based on tests that failed to see he was never born with one. He came out with another organ removed instead—and the original problem still unresolved.
If anything, Bera’s ordeal should remind both the public and medical professionals that diligence saves lives, and shortcuts cost more than time—they cost trust.
Also read: Home | Channel 6 Network – Latest News, Breaking Updates: Politics, Business, Tech & More
