A Turkish doctor and nurse from an Istanbul are facing prison after forgetting a 25-centimeter surgical instrument inside a patient's stomach.

The retractor was discovered inside 35-year-old Fatma S.'s stomach after she went to the hospital where she had a spleen removal surgery 45 days ago, complaining that she did not recover from the operation.

The patient was initially transferred to the psychiatric unit and was discharged after psychiatrics said there was no problem with her mental well-being.

Fatma S. was soon back at the hospital where X-rays revealed the retractor. She had another operation to remove the retractor in another hospital in Istanbul.

The health ministry launched an investigation into the incident and an Istanbul prosecutor asked the court for seven and a half years of prison for the doctor, Ahmet K. and the nurse, Kader L. over medical negligence during the surgical operation.

Ahmet K. and the nurse, Kader L. over medical negligence during the surgical operation.