Zagreb doctor charged after patient's stomach removed due to misdiagnosis

The Municipal State Attorney's Office in Zagreb has filed charges against a pathologist from the KBC ‘Sestre milosrdnice’ hospital following a severe medical error. In late 2023, a patient underwent a radical gastrectomy after a biopsy was incorrectly interpreted as adenocarcinoma. Subsequent analysis revealed the patient actually had a benign neuroendocrine tumor that did not require such extensive surgery.

During the procedure at KBC Zagreb, surgeons removed not only the patient's entire stomach but also her lymph nodes, omentum, appendix, and gallbladder. Although the operating surgeon noted that a tumor could not be felt during the intervention, the procedure proceeded based on the disputed pathological findings. Medical experts and internal hospital reviews have confirmed a professional failure in the diagnostic process.

The patient reports suffering from 100% bodily impairment, including chronic nausea, vomiting, significant weight loss, and PTSD. The accused doctor denies responsibility, arguing that additional tests were conducted and that the surgical team should have verified the diagnostic procedure before proceeding. The prosecution is seeking a one-year prison sentence for negligent treatment resulting in particularly severe bodily injury.