A 17-year-old boy from Osaka Prefecture tragically passed away following a wisdom tooth extraction, with authorities blaming improper anesthesia procedures. The incident, which occurred last year, only came to light after police disclosed the details on Monday.
The victim, Yuta Tomikawa, a third-year student at a special-needs school run by the Osaka Prefectural Government, had a developmental disorder. He visited a clinic in Sakai City, Osaka, in July last year to have two wisdom teeth removed, according to his family.
Japanese authorities have since referred the case to prosecutors, demanding severe disciplinary action against a 55-year-old male director of the dental clinic and a 34-year-old female dentist involved in the procedure. Both are suspected of professional negligence leading to Tomikawa’s death, as reported by Mainichi.
The police allege that the clinic’s staff failed to take the necessary precautions after incorrectly inserting a tube meant to deliver oxygen to the patient’s lungs. The Sakai Dental Association operates the clinic, which was established in 2008 to cater to patients who struggle to receive treatment at general dental clinics, such as those with conditions that make it difficult to remain still during procedures.
According to a report by NHK, Tomikawa suffered from hypoxia after receiving general anesthesia for the extraction and died approximately a month later. The investigation revealed that the oxygen tube, which had been inserted through his nose, became dislodged from his trachea, resulting in insufficient oxygen delivery.
Despite the critical situation, the dentist failed to confirm the tube’s correct placement, and the clinic director, instead of ensuring the situation was under control, administered first aid under the assumption of a different cause. This misjudgment led to a delay of over 40 minutes before emergency services were contacted.
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