Surgical error during lobectomy - 21HDC02403

In a report released today, the Health and Disability Commissioner has found a cardiothoracic surgeon breached the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights (the Code) for providing inadequate care to a man undergoing surgery for lung cancer.

The man, aged in his 60s, was diagnosed with lung cancer in the left lower lobe of his lung. The surgeon performed surgery to remove the tumour, but subsequently it was discovered that the left upper lobe had been removed in error, instead of the left lower lobe. Consequently, the man required further surgery to remove the left lower lobe of his lung.