Neurosurgeon Negligently Punctures Patient's Skull, Disregards Wellbeing

A routine nasal surgery in Dubai turned into a nightmare when a surgeon accidentally punctured a patient's skull base, then ignored warning signs and sent him home. The patient developed life-threatening meningitis and brain complications. A Dubai court has now ordered the doctor and hospital to pay 150,000 dirhams in compensation after finding the surgeon 100% at fault for medical negligence.

Here's what happened: An Arab national went in for standard sinus surgery to remove cysts and correct his nasal septum. The operation took three hours instead of the planned 90 minutes. Right after leaving the hospital, he started getting severe headaches and became extremely sensitive to light.

Three days later, his condition crashed. Emergency doctors diagnosed him with meningitis. Brain scans showed a "black mass" in his brain from the skull puncture. Cerebrospinal fluid was leaking from his nose.

But here's where it gets worse. Dubai Health Authority's medical liability committee found that the surgeon suspected something had gone wrong during the operation. He even prescribed a specific medication that's only given when doctors suspect cerebrospinal fluid leaks. Yet he did nothing else.

The committee's report was damning. The surgeon failed to keep the patient for observation, didn't take his complaints seriously, and never consulted neurology or anesthesia specialists. This was pure negligence, they concluded.

The patient's condition spiraled. He developed severe headaches, hallucinations, and a brain abscess that landed him in intensive care. He needed four weeks of intensive drug treatment and countless follow-up visits.

The patient sued for three million dirhams. Dubai's civil court awarded 150,000 dirhams, finding both the surgeon and hospital liable. Under UAE law, hospitals are responsible for their doctors' actions since the employment relationship creates the opportunity for harm.

This case highlights a critical issue in medical practice. When surgeons suspect complications during operations, they must act immediately. The Dubai court emphasized that medical errors aren't just about technical mistakes - they include failing to follow proper protocols when problems arise.

The compensation covers both physical and psychological damages. The court noted the patient's fear and anxiety after seeing the brain scan, not knowing whether the "black mass" was an abscess or tumor. The psychological trauma of cerebrospinal fluid leaking from his nose added to his suffering.

Medical liability cases like this are becoming more common in the UAE as patients become more aware of their rights. The ruling reinforces that doctors must maintain the highest standards of care, especially when complications occur during surgery.