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Jul 23, 2023

Former Leamington hospital chief of staff disciplined after botched surgery

The former chief of staff at the Leamington hospital is facing disciplinary measures after leaving a clip across the bile duct of a patient during gallbladder surgery, causing her to be transported to

The former chief of staff at the Leamington hospital is facing disciplinary measures after leaving a clip across the bile duct of a patient during gallbladder surgery, causing her to be transported to London for an emergency procedure.

Dr. Ejaz Ahmed Ghumman, who received his medical degree in Pakistan in 1982, resigned from his position with Erie Shores Healthcare in April after the matter went before the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario's Disciplinary Committee.

On July 21, the committee concluded the general surgeon "committed an act of professional misconduct" and "failed to maintain the standard of practice of the profession."

The mistake occurred in 2015 when the Ghumman was removing a woman's gallbladder, according to a statement provided by the college.

During the procedure, a clip applier the doctor was using jammed and couldn't be pulled off for fear it would damage an artery.

Ghumman considered an open procedure, but decided to continue with the surgery after an anaesthetist suggested switching to a narrower type of clip. But the surgeon became concerned he might have mistakenly placed a clip on the woman's bile duct, stated the college summary.

The doctor directed nurses to call several experts, but was unable to find a way to remove the clip without risking more damage so he continued with the surgery, later telling the patient he had encountered a complication with the clipper, but that the procedure had gone well.

The patient returned two days later and said she wasn't feeling well and was having trouble eating. Ghumman reviewed a CT scan with a radiologist who said the bile duct looked normal and no clip had appeared. But the surgeon contacted the patient's family doctor and said although he was satisfied with the surgery he was concerned because he had applied the clip "a little bit blind."

The patient continued to complain she was itchy and not feeling well, and her appearance became more jaundiced as the days went on.

Ghumman eventually completed an ultrasound and bloodwork, which indicated the patient's common bile duct was blocked. The surgeon then told the woman he was concerned the clip was "placed incorrectly."

He immediately arranged for her to be transported to London for an emergency surgery where staff found a clip was across the woman's entire bile duct. She remained in hospital for a week.

Ghumman may only practise under a college-approved clinical supervisor for the next 12 months. He must tell the college where he's practicing within 15 days of arriving at a new location, must agree to random inspections and must pay a $5,500 fee to cover the cost of his hearing.

The college has also barred Ghumman from reapplying for his position as chief of staff until all of the conditions are met.

A later investigation into the surgeon's practice also found he engaged in "prolonged and unnecessary use" of antibiotics for some patients after surgery and that he overused surgical drains in some patients, but there was no evidence those issues harmed any patients.