Surgeon found in breach after removing wrong part of lung

Monday 17 February 2025 · 5 outlets · 3 reports · updated Mon 17 Feb 2025, 2:12pm

In this story Health and Disability Commissioner

A cardiothoracic surgeon mistakenly removed the left upper lobe of a patient's lung instead of the cancerous lower lobe during a 2020 operation. The Health and Disability Commissioner found the surgeon breached the patient's rights by failing to provide reasonable care and skill. The error has left the patient's cancer inoperable.

How they headlined it

2pm

1. The Post via The PressMon 17 Feb 2025, 2:00pm

   Surgeon removes wrong part of cancer patient’s lung (opens in new tab)

   Also on The Press (opens in new tab), Waikato Times (opens in new tab)

2. NZ HeraldMon 17 Feb 2025, 2:12pm

   Health and Disability Commissioner tells surgeon to apologise after removing the wrong section of a cancer patient’s lung (opens in new tab)

3. 1NewsMon 17 Feb 2025, 2:12pm

   Surgeon apologises after removing wrong part of man's lung (opens in new tab)