A female neurosurgeon was taken into custody following allegations that she allowed her 12-year-old daughter to assist in drilling a hole in a patient’s skull during a surgical procedure.
The incident occurred on January 13, 2024, at Graz Regional Hospital in Austria, where a 33-year-old man was admitted with a severe brain injury after an accident. The surgery, conducted by a senior physician with another doctor present, saw the participation of a trainee neurosurgeon who brought her daughter into the operating room.
According to prosecutors, as the surgery neared completion, the surgeon reportedly handed the drill to her daughter, permitting her to create a hole for the probe. Prosecutor Julia Steiner expressed concerns about the lack of respect for the patient, emphasizing the potential risks associated with such actions.
While the defense attorney argued that the girl did not actually drill, stating that the overseeing doctor maintained control of the tool, he acknowledged that bringing the child into the operating room was ill-advised. Both the neurosurgeon and the doctor denied charges of minor bodily harm during their appearance at Graz-East District Court.
The case has been postponed until December 10 to allow for expert testimonies in court.
