A neurosurgeon has been taken into custody for allegedly allowing her 12-year-old daughter to assist in a surgical procedure by drilling a hole in a patient’s skull. The incident occurred on January 13, 2024, at Graz Regional Hospital in Austria, where a 33-year-old man was admitted with a severe traumatic brain injury following an accident. The surgery, conducted by a senior physician with another doctor present, involved the participation of a trainee neurosurgeon who brought her daughter into the operating room.
During the procedure, the neurosurgeon purportedly handed her daughter the drill to create a hole for the probe, later remarking that her daughter had just performed her first gynecological hysterectomy. The matter came to light following multiple anonymous complaints. Although the surgery was successful, Prosecutor Julia Steiner criticized the incident, labeling it as a display of disrespect towards the patient and emphasizing the potential risks involved.
In their defense, the lawyers for the accused neurosurgeon argued that the girl did not actually perform the drilling and that the overseeing doctor maintained full control of the equipment. Both the neurosurgeon and the doctor appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to charges of minor bodily harm.
The case was adjourned until December 10 to allow expert testimonies in court. The head of neurosurgery at the hospital expressed shock upon learning about the incident through an anonymous letter. The mother of the girl stated that her daughter had requested to observe the surgery after spending time studying in an office on the premises. She claimed she did not witness the precise moment of the drilling as she was positioned at the back and momentarily distracted.
As the investigation continues, the legal representatives for the doctor maintained that the girl’s age was not accurately known to their client, who permitted her to place her hand on his while he operated the drill. The doctor also mentioned seeking the mother’s approval before allowing the girl to assist in the procedure.