Graz 13-Jährige OP: Child Involved in Controversial Medical Procedure

Minor Involved in Controversial Surgery

A neuro-surgeon at the LKH-University Hospital in Graz is facing severe criticism after it was revealed that her 13-year-old daughter assisted in a life-saving operation. According to the patient's lawyer, the girl independently drilled a hole in the skull of a trauma victim during the surgery.

Incident Overview

The incident occurred this year when a 33-year-old man suffered a severe head trauma while working in a forest and was airlifted to the LKH-University Clinic Graz for emergency surgery. For weeks, the patient was unaware that his operation had become a media topic until July, when he learned from the police about the highly discussed case concerning his treatment.

• The operation was necessary but immediately provoked outrage due to the child's involvement.
• The patient's lawyer has initiated legal action against all personnel present in the operating room, asserting a clear case of severe bodily injury.

Ongoing Investigations

The public prosecutor's office is currently investigating the dismissed doctors and five other individuals present in the operating room. The attorney for the patient has involved his client as a private claimant in the criminal proceedings and is exploring civil damages claims.

Patient's Emotional Toll

As reported by Austrian media, the patient continues to suffer from the consequences of his accident and now faces additional emotional burdens from the operation. The Kages has reacted by dismissing the implicated doctors, while warnings have been issued to the remaining surgical team. Further measures may follow depending on the outcome of the ongoing investigations, including the aspect of whether the 13-year-old actually performed the drilling.

While Kages neither confirms nor denies the girl's role in drilling, they admit the teenager was actively involved in the surgical process, a fact that only came to light at the end of May.