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Dr. Sanchez Explains Why Dulce Died
posted (September 19, 2013)
Last week, we told you about Baby Dulce Maria Coye, whose family from San Roman, Corozal was accusing the doctor at Northern Medical Plaza of contributing to her death due to medical malpractice. We've been trying to get an official position from Dr. Hugh Sanchez, the pathologist, who conducted the autopsy.

Yesterday, Dr. Sanchez, who completed his report, shared it with us at a KHMH media mixer. He explained that the child died due to a post-surgical infection:

Dr. Hugh Sanchez, Pathologist
"It was alleged that something was left in the baby. Whether it was a needle or a blade or whatever, I would like to say that from the post mortem no such thing was found."

"The child did pass on and we did the post mortem which revealed that there was evidence of Peritonitis. There was pus in the abdominal cavity which may have been a result of the initial surgery."

"The risks were there and with any risk that should be told to the patient. There is a risk and you explain the risk because if you do you are damn and if you don't you are damn. So you better try and do something. The womb breaking down is a sequel of surgery - even in adult that would happen. With the mechanics some time the pressure builds up too much and it leak and once sepsis cycle begins any number can play."

According to Sanchez, he looked specifically at all the sites where the doctors operated on to correct the defect, and according to autopsy, an infection killed Baby Dulce. He couldn't tell us definitely what caused the infection, but that it is a real possibility, and risk that any doctor must weigh when deciding to perform surgery.

And though, we promised it tonight, it got a little hectic around here today, and so tomorrow, we'll have that story on the KHMH's 18th. Anniversary tomorrow.



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