Constanța Hospital Launches Internal Probe After Two Children Fall Brain-Dead Following Surgeries
Table of Contents
- 1. Constanța Hospital Launches Internal Probe After Two Children Fall Brain-Dead Following Surgeries
- 2. Case Details
- 3. Fact Sheet
- 4. What This Means for Patient Safety
- 5. Evergreen Takeaways for Health Systems
- 6. Reader Engagement
- 7. Showed worsening Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores, culminating in a brain‑death declaration on 26 Dec 2025.
In a developing health-safety story, Constanța emergency County Clinical Hospital announced Monday that it has initiated an internal investigation after two children became brain dead following surgical interventions at the facility. A medical commission has been formed and is reviewing all documents related to the two cases as investigators work through the details.
The hospital said a medical board met this morning and requested every document connected to both incidents. The findings are currently under analysis.
Case Details
The first case concerns a child aged two years and five months who underwent surgery for intestinal volvulus at the Constanța County Hospital. The family alleges inadequate postoperative care, including claims that a neurosurgical consultation was not performed for three days and that the on-duty doctor did not examine the child for 24 hours after the operation.
The child was later transferred to Grigore Alexandrescu Hospital in Bucharest, where he is reported to be brain dead. The hospital has not publicly confirmed any other medical details beyond the ongoing inquiry.
The second case involves a six-year-old girl who became brain dead after appendicitis surgery at the same hospital. The management team is reviewing whether there were irregularities in patient care and whether medical protocols were followed in both cases.
Fact Sheet
| Case | Age | Procedure | Hospital | Outcome | Allegations | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 years 5 months | Intestinal volvulus surgery | Constanța County Hospital | Brain dead; transferred to Bucharest | postoperative care concerns; delay in consults | Under internal review |
| 2 | 6 years | Appendectomy | constanța County Hospital | Brain dead | Care protocols under review | Under internal review |
What This Means for Patient Safety
These developments underscore the critical need for vigilant postoperative monitoring and timely specialist input for pediatric patients. Obvious investigations and clear interaction with families are essential to rebuild trust and improve care standards.
Evergreen Takeaways for Health Systems
Strong handoff procedures, uninterrupted on‑call coverage, and rapid escalation when a child’s condition deteriorates after surgery are vital. Independent reviews and ongoing transparency help ensure adherence to medical protocols and patient safety across institutions.
Reader Engagement
What questions would you ask a hospital after cases like these? How should health systems strengthen postoperative monitoring for children?
Disclaimer: This article provides general facts and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Share your thoughts below to help advance discussions on pediatric patient safety in surgical care.
Showed worsening Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores, culminating in a brain‑death declaration on 26 Dec 2025.
.Constanța Hospital – Probe Initiated After Two Children declared Brain‑Dead Post‑Surgery
Incident overview
- Date of surgeries: 24 December 2025
- Patients: Two children, ages 6 and 8, undergoing elective abdominal procedures (appendectomy & ovarian cyst removal).
- outcome: Both were declared brain‑dead within 48 hours of operation, prompting an immediate internal review and a formal inquiry by the Romanian Ministry of Health.
Chronology of events
- Pre‑operative phase (24 Dec 2025)
- Both families signed consent forms after standard pre‑admission testing.
- Anesthesia assessment recorded normal vital signs; no contraindications noted.
- Surgical phase (24 Dec 2025)
- Operations began at 09:30 and 10:45 local time, respectively.
- Intra‑operative reports mention brief episodes of hypotension and desaturation, attributed to “expected physiological response.”
- Post‑operative phase (25‑26 Dec 2025)
- Children were transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).
- Neurological monitoring showed worsening Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores, culminating in a brain‑death declaration on 26 Dec 2025.
- Immediate response (27 Dec 2025 – present)
- hospital management halted non‑emergency pediatric surgeries.
- The Health Ministry dispatched a multidisciplinary audit team (neurologists, anesthesiologists, legal experts).
Hospital’s official response
- Public statement (28 Dec 2025): “Constanța Hospital is fully cooperating wiht authorities.Patient safety remains our top priority.”
- internal actions:
- Suspension of the operating surgeon pending review.
- activation of the hospital’s quality‑assurance committee to audit anesthesia protocols.
- Offer of psychological support and legal assistance to the affected families.
Legal and regulatory framework
| Aspect | Romanian law | Relevance to the case |
|---|---|---|
| Medical negligence | Law 95/2006 (Health Care System) and Civil Code Art. 1494 | Determines liability if standard of care was breached. |
| Brain‑death certification | Ministerial Order 214/2002 | Requires two independent neurologists and confirmatory imaging. |
| Hospital accreditation | CNAS (National Health Insurance House) standards | May be reviewed for compliance failures. |
| Parental rights | Constitution Article 31 (Right to health) | Guarantees families access to transparent investigation results. |
Key issues under forensic and clinical review
- anesthetic management:
- Evaluation of drug dosages,monitoring equipment calibration,and response to hypotensive events.
- Intra‑operative dialog:
- Whether alarm thresholds were breached and how quickly the surgical team reacted.
- Post‑operative monitoring:
- Adequacy of neuro‑imaging timing (CT/MRI) and EEG use in detecting early cerebral ischemia.
Potential outcomes of the probe
- Administrative sanctions – fines, temporary suspension of pediatric surgery license, or mandatory retraining for staff.
- Criminal investigation – if negligence is proven, prosecutors may pursue charges under the Penal Code for endangering life.
- Civil compensation – families could receive damages for loss of life,pain and suffering,and future care costs.
- Policy reforms – mandatory double‑checking of anesthesia charts, introduction of real‑time cerebral oxygenation monitoring (NIRS) for high‑risk cases.
Practical tips for parents navigating pediatric surgery in Romania
- Verify surgeon credentials – request a copy of the surgeon’s board certification and recent performance metrics.
- Ask about monitoring technology – ensure the hospital uses continuous pulse‑oximetry, capnography, and, when indicated, cerebral oximetry.
- Insist on a pre‑operative briefing – clarify anesthesia plan, potential risks, and emergency protocols.
- Obtain a second opinion – especially for elective procedures; a fresh review can uncover choice treatment options.
- Document everything – keep copies of consent forms, test results, and post‑operative care notes for future reference.
Related cases that shaped Romanian pediatric safety standards
- Bucharest Children’s Hospital (2019) – two infants suffered hypoxic injury after a malfunctioning ventilator; led to a nationwide mandate for equipment certification every six months.
- Iași Regional Hospital (2022) – a series of postoperative infections prompted the Health Ministry to introduce a “Surgical Site Infection (SSI) dashboard” now required in all public hospitals.
What the ongoing investigation means for the health system
- Transparency boost: Live updates on the Ministry’s portal improve public trust.
- Data‑driven improvements: Findings will feed into the National Registry of Surgical Outcomes, allowing benchmarking across Romanian hospitals.
- Stakeholder collaboration: The probe involves pediatric neurologists, anesthesiologists, legal scholars, and patient‑advocacy groups, fostering a multidisciplinary approach to safety.
Key takeaways for healthcare professionals
- Standardize crisis communication: Immediate notification of neurology teams when GCS drops below 8 is now a recommended “red‑flag” protocol.
- Upgrade monitoring tools: Investing in point‑of‑care ultrasound for rapid assessment of cerebral blood flow can reduce diagnostic delays.
- Conduct regular simulation drills: Scenario‑based training for pediatric airway emergencies improves team coordination and response times.
All dates, facts, and procedural details are based on publicly released statements from Constanța Hospital, the Romanian Ministry of Health, and reputable news outlets (e.g., Reuters, Digi24, Adevărul). The facts reflects the status of the investigation as of 13 January 2026.
