CMCH refutes medical negligence allegation

Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH) has refuted reports on alleged medical negligence claims by a 42-year-old man that staples had been left in his forearm during a surgery to correct fractures in 2023. 

Sarath Babu of Giri Nagar in Coimbatore alleged that there were over 10 staples inside his arm, where the surgery was done, and only two staples were seen in the X-ray taken four months ago. Staples that had been fixed on the skin outside had fallen off, he claimed.

Hospital sources said the person was admitted to CMCH on October 16, 2023, after he suffered head injury and fracture of both bones of the right forearm with loss of soft tissue and exposed bones in a road traffic accident.

After treating the frontal bone fracture and given supportive treatment, the fractured bones in the forearm were fixed with plates and screws. A skin grafting was also done along with the surgery as the patient had extensive loss of soft tissue. Surgical staples were used to anchor the skin graft.

According to the sources, the patient, after post-operative care, went on discharge at his request on November 10, 2023. The person approached the hospital with a complaint of discharge over the forearm and he was admitted on April 28, 2025. The plate and screws were removed on May 7. However, the staples used for the skin graft were not removed as surgical exploration for them could lead to wound dehiscence, added sources.