SMC opens formal inquiry into doctor over patient who died after botched kidney surgery

The Singapore Medical Council (SMC) has initiated a formal inquiry into a doctor accused of failing to rectify his mistakes during a botched kidney procedure in 2022.

The doctor, Fong Yan Kit, was charged in court for allegedly causing the 63-year-old patient's death.

Speaking to The Straits Times (ST) on Mar. 17, SMC said the case will be reviewed by an independent disciplinary tribunal.

The council also stated that it is unable to disclose further details as court proceedings are ongoing.

A search by Mothership found that Fong’s name is no longer listed on Raffles Hospital’s website.

His name had also been removed from SMC's list of registered medical doctors.

He remained on the list as of Mar. 12, the day he was charged in court.

The case

Fong, a 54-year-old Singaporean, had been working at Raffles Hospital as a urologist at the time.

He had been removing a tumour from the patient's kidney when he mistakenly severed the wrong blood vessels.

Instead of her renal artery, he cut two major abdominal arteries — the superior mesenteric artery and coeliac trunk, which are responsible for supplying blood to the stomach and bowels.

Fong then concluded the operation without calling in a vascular surgeon to help.

The urologist also failed to mention in his subsequent medical reports that he had severed the wrong arteries by mistake.

Coroner's inquiry

The error reportedly disrupted blood flow to the patient’s intra-abdominal organs, which ultimately led to her death.

Findings from a coroner’s inquiry in November 2025 revealed that the mistake came to light after the patient continued to feel unwell following the procedure.

Fong later made an urgent referral to a vascular interventional radiologist, and the woman was sent for emergency surgery.

But surgeons assessed that she would not survive the procedure, and it was called off.

Her condition continued to deteriorate, and she passed away three days after the surgery.

Court proceedings

State Coroner Adam Nakhoda determined that the death resulted from the medical procedure, ST wrote.

He noted in his findings that there were three opportunities for Fong to address his mistakes, but none were taken.

The death was, in his view, avoidable.

An expert report by Christopher Cheng, a senior consultant urologist at Singapore General Hospital, stated that while anatomical variation can occur, pre-operative CT scans would typically detect such differences.

He added that it was unlikely that the two arteries would be confused, given their distinct size and anatomical characteristics.

Based on a video recording of the procedure, there was also no clear attempt to identify a pulsating vessel, which is characteristic of a renal artery.

Cheng further highlighted a 13-minute pause during the surgery after the arteries were severed, noting it was unclear whether Fong had recognised the error or sought a second opinion.

Fong did not indicate his plea during his court appearance on Mar. 12 and is scheduled to return to court on Apr. 16.

If convicted of causing death by a negligent act, he could be jailed for up to two years, fined, or both.

Top photos from Lianhe Zaobao and AFP