Sambalpur: Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) in Odisha's Sambalpur is facing serious questions after at least five patients reportedly developed severe complications following minor surgeries in recent days, leading to two deaths and two others being admitted to the ICU.

The incidents have triggered concern with doctors demanding an expert-level investigation into the cause of the complications.

One of the affected patients, 24-year-old Sanket Sahu, had undergone a minor ENT surgery after suffering from nasal tissue growth. However, a day after the procedure, his liver, kidneys and lungs reportedly began failing simultaneously.

Reports said similar complications have surfaced in at least four other cases across different departments in the hospital. In one case, a woman who underwent breast surgery was reportedly stable immediately after the operation, but later developed multiple organ complications and is currently undergoing treatment in the ICU. Another patient was shifted to the ICU after suffering organ failure following surgery.

Two other patients allegedly died after undergoing routine surgical procedures.

In another case, a patient identified as Dutika Nayak reportedly developed critical complications after surgery. As no ICU bed was available at VIMSAR, she was shifted to a private hospital, reports said.

Doctors suspect the issue may be linked to sterilised surgical instruments being used during operations. Concerns have also been raised that the complications are not limited to the ENT department alone, but may involve other surgical units as well.

The incidents have prompted demands for an independent probe by an experienced state-level medical team to identify the exact cause behind the sudden organ failures and deaths.

Responding to the controversy, VIMSAR Superintendent acknowledged that two such incidents following routine surgeries had come to his notice. He said steps were being taken to address the issue.