A family in Si Chomphu district, Khon Kaen is demanding an investigation and compensation over the death of a man from infection after gauze was left inside him following a kidney operation.

Boonthom Laiphukheao, 43, reported the case to the provincial complaints centre on Tuesday. She said her brother Ad, 53, died on Monday after surgery at a public hospital in Chum Phae district in June. The name of the hospital was withheld.

She said Ad was suffering from abdominal pain and fever. He was diagnosed with a renal abscess and underwent surgery.

By mid-July, about two weeks after the operation, his abdomen had become swollen and he was unable to eat. An ultrasound scan at Si Chomphu Hospital showed that gauze had been left inside his body after the operation.

He returned to the hospital in Chum Phae, where the gauze was surgically removed.

The man was treated in an intensive care ward there for 13 days and then moved to an ordinary room for two days, after which he was discharged even though his condition was unpromising, Ms Boonthom said.

The hospital management had her sign a document accepting the subsequent treatment after the initial surgical mistake and 40,000 baht in compensation.

However, Ad's condition worsened. He was unable to walk and finally died on Monday.

Ms Boonthom said the family was demanding an investigation and 300,000 baht in compensation.

Accompanying her, lawyer Wasant Chuchai said the family would not cremate the brother's body for now, pending an investigation, and the responsible doctor could be charged with malpractice causing death.