Wrong Site Surgery: What It Is, Why It Happens, and How to Prevent It

When a surgeon operates on the wrong body part, it’s not just a mistake—it’s a wrong site surgery, a preventable medical error where surgery is performed on the incorrect location, such as the wrong leg, kidney, or side of the brain. Also known as operating on the wrong side, it’s one of the most shocking and avoidable failures in modern healthcare. Imagine going in for knee surgery on your left leg, only to wake up with your right knee cut open. This isn’t a horror story—it’s a real event that happens more often than most people think.

These errors don’t happen because surgeons are careless. They happen because systems break down. A rushed pre-op check, unclear markings, poor communication between nurses and doctors, or skipping the surgical checklist can all lead to disaster. In India, where hospitals range from high-tech urban centers to under-resourced rural clinics, the risk varies—but the consequences don’t. A 2021 study in the Indian Journal of Surgery found that nearly 1 in 5 surgical errors in government hospitals involved wrong-site procedures, mostly due to lack of standardized protocols.

This is why surgical checklist, a standardized, step-by-step verification process used before every surgery to confirm patient identity, procedure, and surgical site matters so much. The WHO introduced it in 2009, and hospitals that use it consistently cut wrong-site surgeries by over 80%. Yet many clinics in India still don’t use it properly—or at all. Patients aren’t always asked to confirm their own surgery site. Markings on the skin can be faded, unclear, or missing. Even the simplest step—having the patient say, "Yes, this is the side that hurts"—can stop a disaster.

And it’s not just about the surgeon. Nurses, anesthesiologists, and even the person who schedules the appointment all play a role. One wrong entry in the system, one misread chart, one unverified consent form—and the chain breaks. That’s why patient safety, the practice of preventing avoidable harm to patients during medical care, including errors in diagnosis, treatment, and surgery isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a daily responsibility. And it starts with asking questions.

If you’re scheduled for surgery, don’t assume everything’s under control. Ask: "Where exactly will you cut?" "Can I see the mark on my skin?" "Will someone confirm this with me before you start?" Don’t feel shy. You’re not being difficult—you’re being smart. And if you’re a caregiver, speak up for the person who can’t. These errors don’t just cause physical pain—they destroy trust, lead to lawsuits, and sometimes cost lives.

The posts below cover real cases, hidden risks, and practical steps taken by doctors and patients to stop these mistakes before they happen. You’ll find insights on how hospitals in India are improving safety, what to look for in a surgeon’s protocol, and how to protect yourself when you’re in the hospital. This isn’t about fear. It’s about power—knowing what to ask, what to watch for, and how to make sure the right body part gets the right treatment.