PhD student and tourism professional Gülşah Gizem Angı underwent surgery at Akdeniz University Hospital on April 5, 2022, due to an approximately 33-millimeter type 2 myoma detected in her uterus. Angı, whose condition worsened during the hysteroscopic myomectomy operation, could not be saved despite the interventions. In the investigation initiated upon the complaint of Angı's family following her death, an examination was conducted to determine whether there was any medical error or negligence during the surgery. After the investigation, Gynecology and Obstetrics Specialist Mete Ç. A lawsuit was filed against the defendants and 9 defendants at the Antalya 15th Criminal Court of First Instance for the crime of "negligent homicide".
'DEMO DEVICE' CLAIM WAS IN THE FILE
During the trial, official correspondence, minutes and witness statements included in the file claimed that the hysteroscopy system used in the operation was not in the hospital inventory and was brought as a 'demo'. The authority and training status of the personnel involved in the use of the device were also among the issues examined within the scope of the case. At the 4th hearing, the file was sent to Forensic Medicine to determine the cause of death of the young woman and the fault of the healthcare professionals.
ATK: DEATH OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF FLUID OVERLOAD
At the last hearing, the report of the 3rd Supreme Council of the Forensic Medicine Institute was considered by the court. The defendant's lawyers objected to the report and requested a new expert examination and a new report. In the report of the Supreme Council dated July 23, 2026, it was stated that Gülşah Gizem Angı's death occurred as a result of 'fluid overload' that occurred during hysteroscopic myomectomy surgery. In the report, it was noted that a total of 24 liters of fluid, 8 of which were 3 thousand cc isotonic, were used during the surgery. It was stated that the difference between the amount of fluid entering and exiting the uterus at the end of the procedure was calculated as 1500 cc.
It was stated that Angı, who weighed 58 kilos before the surgery, weighed 74 kilos at the autopsy, her body weight increased by 16 kilos and there were signs of widespread edema. Considering the fluids given during the resuscitation procedures, it was evaluated that the fluid deficit occurring during the surgery could not be 1500 cc.
FOLLOWING THE FLUID DEFICIT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SURGICAL TEAM
The report stated that it is the responsibility of the surgical team to control the difference between the fluid given and withdrawn during the surgery. It was noted that early signs of fluid overload can be determined by checks performed by the anesthesia team. The Supreme Council evaluated that the operation was continued without calculating the fluid deficit at appropriate intervals during the surgery.
It was stated that Gynecology and Obstetrics Specialist Mete Ç., who was responsible for the surgery, continued the surgery without calculating the fluid deficit at appropriate intervals and that it was not in accordance with the generally accepted principles and rules of medical science. In the report, the degree of impact of Mete Ç.'s faulty action on Angı's death was evaluated as 4 out of 8.
SURGERY WAS STOPPED IN THE 15-20TH MINUTES
It was noted that approximately at the 15-20th minute of the operation, after pressurized fluid and blood came to the serum set, the water flow was stopped during the surgery and the patient was checked by the anesthesia team. However, it was deemed medically inappropriate to give approval to continue the surgery after rhythm and blood pressure checks. The Supreme Board also evaluated the actions of anesthesiologists Bilge K. and Nurten K., who approved the surgery to continue. The degree of impact of the anesthesiologists' faulty actions on Angı's death was determined as 2 out of 8.
'THREE PEOPLE WERE DIED'
Noting that they will investigate his daughter's death to the end, Ayhan Angı said, "It was said that it would be a very simple surgery. In the last examination, a type 2 myoma with a size of 33 millimeters was detected. This myoma was causing extra bleeding. We applied to Prof. Dr. Mete Ç. from Akdeniz University Hospital for a solution to this. It was explained that fluid would be given with a modern device, the myoma would be seen and removed. It was also a safer and simpler surgery in terms of bleeding and our daughter would come out in a short time. "But unfortunately he couldn't come out. On April 5, 2022, three of us died. I buried my baby with my own hands, and we have been living like a living corpse since that day."
DEFENDANT'S LAWYERS OBJECTED
Noting that the expert error was clearly visible in the Forensic Medicine Institute report, Ayhan Angı said, "The defendant's lawyers objected to the ATK report. They asked for a report from other experts, but their requests were not accepted. They asked for time for re-defense. The Supreme Council of the Forensic Medicine Institute is one of the most respected state institutions in Türkiye. Despite this, the report was objected. My daughter weighed 58 kilos when she entered the hospital. In the classical autopsy, she weighed 74 kilograms. There is a difference of 16 kilograms. This fluid reaches from the waist up to the neck." "It is stated in the classic autopsy report that there is approximately 400 grams of fluid in the body and that there is approximately 400 grams of fluid in the brain. The report states that 4 out of 8 of the defect is due to surgery and 2 out of 8 is due to anesthesia," he said.
'OUR DAUGHTER WAS OUR ONLY LIFE'
Mother Vicdan Angı, who could not control her tears, said: "I trust Turkish justice. With this report, we are relieved a little bit. At least my daughter can sleep there a little more comfortably. They destroyed my motherhood. We were a nuclear family. Our family would grow in the future. I would have grandchildren. I was going to be a grandmother. They destroyed my grandmotherhood. No one calls me 'mother' anymore. I was always with Gülşah. Now I cannot enter my daughter's room. There." "I can't go to bed. They ruined our future. I leave them to God. Our daughter was our only life. I still have half of my daughter's dowry. Everything I bought and prepared is left inside me."
On the other hand, the Angı family built two conference halls, one of which is at Akdeniz University, in order to keep the name of their daughter Gülşah Gizem Angı alive.
