Advances in modern medical technology have greatly improved the ease with which certain medical conditions can be detected, diagnosed and treated. For example, today, men and women of a certain age are advised to undergo regular colonoscopies to detect for cancer and other possible abnormalities. This technology now allows doctors to detect and treat a cancer that was previously difficult to diagnose. In many cases, surgery is necessary to remove any cancerous polyps or masses.

A man who underwent a colonoscopy was likely both scared and relieved when test results showed he had colon cancer. Thankfully, the man's doctor assured him that his cancer could be removed through a simple surgical procedure. Little did the man know that he would soon be the victim of a major medical error.

Three days after undergoing the procedure to have the cancerous mass removed, the man developed a low-grade fever. The fever persisted and the man noted other bothersome side effects of the surgery which he relayed to his doctor. For months, the man had been experiencing odd and painful symptoms including a bloated and swelling mass on the right side of his lower stomach.

Upon undergoing a body scan, his doctor was able to identify that a foreign object had been left inside the man's body. The sponge had been in the man's body for roughly five months and was the source of the man's pain and discomfort. He immediately underwent yet another surgical procedure to remove the foreign object.

The man recently filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against the hospital as well as the doctor who performed the surgical procedure. As a result of the medical error, the man asserts he has suffered pain, loss of enjoyment of life and disfigurement.

Source: The Louisiana Record, "Patient sues doctor, hospital alleged sponge left insdie him during cancer surgery," Kyle Barnett, Aug. 22, 2013