Surgeon removes wrong part of lung

The story so far

In 2020, a cardiothoracic surgeon removed the left upper lobe of a man's lung in his 60s instead of the cancerous lower lobe.^{17 Feb 2025} The Health and Disability Commissioner found the surgeon breached three codes, including the duty to provide reasonable care and skill, and the doctor has apologised.^{17 Feb 2025; 22 Mar 2025} The error has left the cancer inoperable, and the patient now seeks a lung transplant, which he says the health system owes him, though he cannot get on the transplant list.^{17 Feb 2025; 10 Mar 2025} Nearly five years after the operation, the patient is still seeking explanations of how the error happened and remains dissatisfied with the answers so far.^{22 Mar 2025}

Latest

The patient remains dissatisfied with the lack of answers about how the error occurred, nearly five years after the operation.^{22 Mar 2025}

Key moments

1. 17 Feb 2025Commissioner finds surgeon breached patient's rights by failing reasonable care and skill.
2. 17 Feb 2025Wrong lobe removed in 2020; the cancer is now inoperable.
3. 17 Feb 2025Report finds doctor breached three codes; doctor apologises to patient and family.
4. 10 Mar 2025Patient seeks lung transplant, saying he cannot get on the transplant list.
5. 22 Mar 2025Nearly five years on, patient still seeks answers and remains dissatisfied.

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