An 86-year-old patient with transverse colon cancer in Hong Kong died several weeks after undergoing surgery in which a stoma was mistakenly created in the stomach instead of the transverse colon, according to hospital authorities, according to a report by South China Morning Post.
The incident occurred at Tseung Kwan O Hospital, which has launched an investigation into the surgical error. The patient had undergone stoma surgery on February 7 to relieve an intestinal obstruction caused by colon cancer.
A CT scan performed on March 3 later revealed that the stoma had been positioned incorrectly in the stomach rather than the intended section of the large intestine.
The patient died later that day after complications developed.
According to South China Morning Post, following the initial operation:
The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and later transferred to a surgical ward.
On February 16, she was moved to Haven of Hope Hospital for rehabilitation.
During this period, medical staff noted that the stoma produced a consistently high output, but on March 1, the patient began experiencing, abdominal pain, low blood pressure and rapid heart rate.
She was transferred back to Tseung Kwan O Hospital for treatment. An emergency CT scan revealed the misplaced stoma.
As reported by South China Morning Post, despite treatment, including cardioversion and medication, her condition deteriorated. After discussions with the family, a decision was made not to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The patient later died from multiple organ failure.
See also: Forceps Found in Abdomen Five Years After Surgery in a Kerala Woman
According to Cleveland Clinic, stoma is a surgically created opening on the abdomen that allows bodily waste to exit when a part of the digestive or urinary system cannot function normally.
During stoma surgery:
A section of the intestine is brought through the abdominal wall.
The exposed portion forms an opening on the skin.
Waste is collected in an external pouch called an ostomy bag.
Stomas may be temporary or permanent, depending on the underlying medical condition. They are commonly created during treatment for:
Intestinal obstruction
Inflammatory bowel disease
Traumatic injuries affecting the bowel
In this case, surgeons intended to create a transverse colostomy, which diverts waste through the transverse colon to bypass a blockage in the intestine.
Reference
Cleveland Clinic. “Stoma: What It Is, Types, Care & Living With.” Last updated June 14, 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/stoma.
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