Teen football player, who lost leg due to medical negligence at Chennai government hospital, dies

Seventeen-year-old Priya underwent a procedure at the Periyar Nagar Government Peripheral Hospital; following complications, her right was amputated the following day; two doctors have been suspended and will face legal action, the T.N. Health Minister said

A week after developing complications due to a ligament tear repair, a 17-year-old girl, who had to undergo an amputation of her right leg, died of multiple-organ failure at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) on Tuesday morning.

Two doctors of the Government Peripheral Hospital, Periyar Nagar, where she had undergone an arthroscopic ligament repair procedure, were placed under suspension for medical negligence.

Health Minister Ma. Subramanian said the girl, Priya, a football player, had suffered a ligament tear in her right leg two weeks ago.

Priya was a first-year student of B.Sc. Physical Education, and a resident of Vyasarpadi.

“She underwent an arthroscopic ligament repair procedure at the Government Peripheral Hospital, Periyar Nagar on November 7. A compression bandage was applied to prevent bleeding,” the Minister added.

Prolonged pressure from the compression bandage resulted in a lack of blood flow to the leg, resulting in complications.

The Minister said doctors failed to notice the pressure caused by the compression bandage. With complications arising from this, the girl was referred to RGGGH on November 8 where she had to undergo an amputation.