A Surgical Mixup: A German Woman's Shocking Outcome

  • Thread starter Thread starter Math Is Hard
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Mistake
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around a surgical mixup involving a 78-year-old German woman who underwent surgery intended for her leg but instead left the hospital with an artificial anus. The conversation explores reactions to the incident, comparisons to other surgical errors, and humorous takes on the situation.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Humorous commentary

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express disbelief at the incident, referencing its coverage on shows like the Tonight Show.
  • There are humorous remarks about the implications of the mixup, including jokes about the woman's leg and potential film deals.
  • Several participants draw comparisons to other surgical errors, such as a case involving a mistaken removal of a penis instead of hemorrhoids.
  • Questions are raised about the specifics of the surgical mixup, including where the artificial anus was placed.
  • Participants engage in playful banter about the potential market for "used artificial anuses" and the grammatical nuances of the term.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally share a humorous perspective on the incident, but there is no consensus on the seriousness of the situation or the appropriateness of the jokes made.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes references to other surgical mishaps and humorous speculation, which may not reflect the seriousness of actual medical errors.

Math Is Hard
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Gold Member
Messages
4,663
Reaction score
36
When it comes to a surgical mistake, this incident may take the cake: A 78-year-old German woman went into the hospital last month to have surgery on her leg. Because of a mixup, Frankenpost reports that she left the Hochfranken-Klinik in Münchberg, Germany, with an artificial anus.

http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2008/03/german-surgeons.html
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Biology news on Phys.org
I heard about that on the Tonight Show last night, of all places (Jay Leno made a big deal that they had to verify the story before he'd tell the joke, because it was just too weird for him to believe it).
 
I was half expecting someone to post and say, "OMG, MIH, you fell for that stupid fake story?!"
 
I wonder if they both work at the same time?

In any case, I'm sure she's getting a deal for a porn movie as we err... speak.
 
Talk about having a bum leg... <ba dum bum *cymbal*>
 
That's almost as bad as the guy that went into the hospital to get hemorrhoids removed and had his penis removed instead. The surgeon went insane in the operating room, I won't go into the gory details.
 
Evo said:
That's almost as bad as the guy that went into the hospital to get hemorrhoids removed and had his penis removed instead. The surgeon went insane in the operating room, I won't go into the gory details.

I think you already went into the gory details. :biggrin:
 
Moonbear said:
I heard about that on the Tonight Show last night, of all places (Jay Leno made a big deal that they had to verify the story before he'd tell the joke, because it was just too weird for him to believe it).


The fact that it comes from FRANKENPOST makes it even worse!
 
Moonbear said:
Talk about having a bum leg... <ba dum bum *cymbal*>

Well, if that's what she was complaining about, no wonder the docs got confused!
 
  • #10
Evo said:
That's almost as bad as the guy that went into the hospital to get hemorrhoids removed and had his penis removed instead. The surgeon went insane in the operating room, I won't go into the gory details.

Yow! I have to find this story. Where is Google_Spider when you need him/her?
 
  • #11
I wonder where they put the artificial anus...we can only hope its not on her knee.
 
  • #13
LOL talk about jealousy.
 
  • #15
OMG a new industry that can compete with China. "Used artificial anuses".
 
  • #16
edward said:
OMG a new industry that can compete with China. "Used artificial anuses".

Do you think there's much of a market for second-hand sphincters? :bugeye:
 
  • #17
edward said:
OMG a new industry that can compete with China. "Used artificial anuses".
"Anuses"? Don't you mean 'ani'?

It's a good thing 'anus' is Latin. If it were Greek, the plural would have been 'anodes'!
 
  • #18
Math Is Hard said:
Do you think there's much of a market for second-hand sphincters? :bugeye:

Hmmm I would have to come up with an possible alternative use. A new type of musical instrument perhaps?? Naa that's too asinine.
 
  • #19
Gokul43201 said:
"Anuses"? Don't you mean 'ani'?

It's a good thing 'anus' is Latin. If it were Greek, the plural would have been 'anodes'!

:smile: Dang it , anuses cleared my spell checker ani didn't. Anodes sound electrifying.
 

Similar threads

Challenge Math Challenge - December 2018
  • · Replies 67 ·
3
Replies
67
Views
17K
Do Movies Teach Us Realistic Life Skills?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
10K