Family points to medical negligence in Recife after patient suffers severe brain damage.

247 - Relatives of Camila Miranda de Wanderley Nogueira de Menezes, 38, claim there was medical negligence during an elective surgery performed at Hospital Esperança in Recife, resulting in severe and irreversible brain damage. Admitted on August 27, 2025, for gallbladder removal and inguinal hernia repair, procedures considered low-complexity, Camila suffered successive respiratory failures after the administration of general anesthesia and has remained hospitalized in serious condition ever since. This information comes from [source missing]. Folha de São Paulo.

According to an independent expert report commissioned by the family, the patient experienced seven consecutive episodes of apnea, culminating in a prolonged cardiorespiratory arrest, without adequate intervention from the medical team during the critical period.

The alerts issued by the multiparameter monitor were allegedly ignored by the attending physicians, while the surgery proceeded normally. The equipment reportedly recorded abrupt drops in oxygen saturation dozens of times over 27 minutes, indicating an imminent risk to the patient's life.

Camila suffered severe brain injuries, lost cognitive and motor functions, and has remained in the ICU since the procedure. A court employee in Pernambuco, she is the daughter of federal judge Roberto Nogueira, of the 5th Regional Federal Court, married, and mother of two children. “She doesn’t speak, walk, or see. She breathes on her own, but she lost cognitive and locomotor functions,” said her father. “When I’m with her, I watch her all the time. It’s like she’s a baby again.”

Security camera footage from the hospital shows Camila arriving on foot at the unit around 5:00 AM, accompanied by her husband, the doctor Paulo Menezes. Her admission was registered at 5:24 AM. According to the forensic report, the first apnea alert occurred at 10:47 AM, indicating a "serious problem: disconnection, obstruction, or ventilatory failure." The report points out that, even at that moment, the patient remained without breathing for 1 minute and 42 seconds, a situation classified as a high clinical priority.

The second apnea episode was recorded at 10:56 AM. The report describes the condition as a "recurrent unresolved ventilatory problem," with oxygen saturation dropping from 88% to 61% in just over a minute. The doctor responsible for the examination, Leonardo Queiroga Marinho, stated to... Sheet The lack of an immediate response suggests a possible serious error by omission, although it is noted that accountability lies with the competent authorities.

“All the information, such as blood pressure and oxygen saturation, is displayed on the monitor for the doctor to follow instantly. This equipment has several sensors, visual alarms, and is essential for surgical procedures,” said Queiroga. “This information is recorded on a memory card, under the control of the manufacturer, who provides it upon request from the hospital. With access to this equipment, we can analyze the situation second by second.”

The report details that the third apnea occurred at 11:04 AM, described as a "chronic ventilatory problem unresolved for more than 17 minutes." Subsequently, new episodes were recorded at 11:05 AM and 11:08 AM, when oxygen saturation reached 22%, an index classified as incompatible with brain activity. At 11:11 AM, the level dropped to 5%. At 11:16 AM, Camila went into cardiorespiratory arrest, remaining without vital signs for about 15 minutes until she was resuscitated at 11:33 AM. She experienced another apnea before being transferred to the ICU at 12:42 PM.

Internal hospital footage also shows anesthesiologist Mariana Parahyba alongside the nursing staff during the transfer, using her cell phone in one hand while handling the ambu bag with the other.

The family reported one of the doctors to the Regional Council of Medicine of Pernambuco (Cremepe). In a statement, the body informed that it is investigating “all complaints received” and that the investigations are proceeding under procedural secrecy. Lawyer Igor Cesar Rodrigues, who represents the family, stated that a lawsuit is also being prepared. “We want all the crimes committed during this disastrous procedure to be investigated, as well as to recover the resulting material damages,” he said.

Rodrigues maintains that there was malice in the handling of the case. “The surgery continued with the patient practically dead there on the table. We argue that it was malicious conduct. It's like getting in a car on a busy avenue, running a red light, causing an accident, and continuing to drive,” he compared.

Hospital Esperança, through its press office, stated that the doctors involved are not part of the unit's medical staff and were chosen by the patient herself. The institution also stated that it provided "all the necessary support as soon as it became aware of the incident" and reiterated "its ongoing commitment to quality care, ethics, transparency and, above all, the safety of its patients."

The defense for surgeon Clarissa Guedes Noronha stated that the doctor acted with "absolute precision" during the procedure and that there were no errors in the surgical act. "Therefore, there is no causal link between Clarissa Guedes' actions and the neurological damage suffered by the patient. It is fundamental to emphasize that the surgeon's role requires absolute concentration in the operating field, with monitoring being the responsibility of anesthesiology," they stated.

The defense team for anesthesiologist Mariana Parahyba initially stated they would comment later, but, as of the latest update on the case, said they would not comment at this time.