Surgical Mishaps: Key Causes of Preventable Deaths in Uganda

Proper preparation is crucial before surgery to avoid fatal outcomes. Patients undergoing major operations are typically instructed to fast overnight, ensuring an empty stomach to prevent vomiting and aspiration into the lungs during procedures.

In 2010, a 34-year-old woman passed away at the start of laparoscopic fibroid removal in a Kampala private hospital. The breathing tube was mistakenly placed in her stomach instead of her airway, causing oxygen deprivation and heart slowdown under light anaesthesia.

Similarly, in 2015, a Senior Four student died shortly after minor hernia surgery at a regional referral hospital. Rushed despite a scheduled date, he suffered aspiration due to inadequate fasting, leading to his death just an hour post-operation from lack of monitoring.

Surgical deaths can stem from the underlying condition, procedural errors, undiagnosed issues, or anaesthesia complications. Emergencies often involve infections, imbalances, or blood loss, while mishaps like vessel punctures require pre-booked blood and vigilant post-op checks.

Anaesthesia-related fatalities dominate, split between general and regional types. General anaesthesia induces unconsciousness with airway support, but failures like tube misplacement or disconnections cause suffocation. Light anaesthesia risks airway spasms or heart disruption; overly deep poses other dangers.

Regional options, such as spinal or epidural, numb body sections via nerve injections. Complications include severe low blood pressure impacting the heart or bleeding in critical spaces.

Patients must receive thorough pre-op evaluations, risk disclosures, and written consent. Minor surgeries carry lower risks but still demand care; all post-op monitoring is essential to catch issues early.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)