SHAKOPEE, Minn. – A state investigative report said a surgeon performed an appendectomy on the same patient twice after he mistakenly removed a piece of fatty tissue instead the first time. The Star Tribune reported that the surgeon realized his mistake two days after the first operation after a hospital pathologist reported what was removed was "not an appendix."

The patient had been complaining of pain and fever and was ordered back for a second surgery.

The by now ruptured appendix was removed, after which the unidentified patient spent 11 days in the hospital with complications from the second surgery.

The Health Department found no evidence the hospital did anything wrong. Complaints against doctors are handled by a separate state agency. The Board of Medical Practice isn't commenting on the case.

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