Woman discovers surgical needle left in private part after complaining of pain for 18 years
A woman found out that she had been suffering from pain for 18 years due to a needle that was mistakenly left in her private part during childbirth.
On its website post on Nov. 5, Pavena Foundation for Children and Women—a local non-government organization that provides assistance to victims of abuse and harassment—shared that a 36-year-old woman from Narathiwat, Thailand sought their help in treating the unbearable pain that she frequently felt on her lower abdomen.
The woman detailed that she learned it was due to a medical error that occurred when she gave birth to her child almost two decades ago. According to her, the doctor was stitching up her birth wound when a medical staff dropped a needle into her vagina. Worried about the possibility of excessive bleeding, they decided to go ahead and close the wound without retrieving the needle inside.
It was only in 2023 that the woman was made aware of the incident, when she underwent an X-ray examination that revealed a needle was lodged in her private part. Doctors attempted to take it out thrice through surgery though it had to be postponed three times as the needle kept changing positions within her body.
She's required to visit the hospital three to four times a month to monitor her condition.While she has insurance to cover the costs, the frequent medical visits still cause her financial strain given that she doesn't come from a well-off family.
The foundation said they have coordinated with local authorities to arrange her transport for hospital visits.
Details about her surgery and medical treatment are yet to be disclosed, as of writing.