Tel Aviv Man Undergoes Second Surgery After Knife Left in Shoulder at Ichilov Hospital

A 40-year-old man from Tel Aviv, identified as Y., underwent a second surgery at Ichilov Medical Center after a knife was discovered left inside his shoulder following an initial operation. Y. was injured in a scooter accident while on his way to work, suffering fractures in his shoulder and knee and a hand injury. After the first surgery involving plates and screws, he repeatedly complained of sharp pains, but medical staff initially dismissed his concerns, with some suggesting psychological causes.

Only after persistent complaints did a doctor order an X-ray that revealed the foreign object. Y. was immediately hospitalized for surgery to remove the knife, which had been mistakenly left during the first procedure. The surgeon admitted the error, describing it as negligence and expressing distress over the incident. Y.'s wife recounted the emotional toll on their family, noting that medical staff had doubted his pain and even suggested psychiatric evaluation.

Ichilov Medical Center confirmed the discovery of the knife during a post-operative X-ray and stated that Y. underwent prompt surgery to remove it, with no expected long-term damage. The hospital announced a full investigation to prevent future occurrences and reported the incident to the Ministry of Health as required. Y. is now facing a lengthy rehabilitation and is considering legal action due to the physical and mental suffering caused by the medical error.