Feeding tube left in Milwaukee woman's body, lawsuit filed

MILWAUKEE - A Milwaukee woman is taking legal action after she learned a feeding tube was left in her body after surgery for nearly 35 years.

What they're saying:

Deborah Lowe was hospitalized in 1989 at Mount Sinai Medical Center, which is now Aurora Sinai Medical Center, in Milwaukee. She was pregnant with twins.

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"As a result of such, (she) had a troubled pregnancy that resulted in having a hysterectomy and having to be put on life support," said Attorney B'Ivory LaMarr.

Lowe said the feeding tube was inserted while she was on life support, but it was never removed. It has caused her pain for nearly 35 years.

Deborah Lowe

"Since 1989, I couldn’t do things. I had migraines, shortness of breath, and my stomach constantly swelled," she said. "I was 25 years old. That's my whole life."

Lowe said she underwent surgery in 2024, and a surgeon found the feeding tube. Now, she is suing for medical negligence, breach of fiduciary duty and emotional distress. The lawsuit lists "Mount Sinai Medical Center," "John Does 1-3" and the "Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund" and defendants.

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"I would want no one to go through this," said Lowe. "It's terrible when you don't know what's going on inside of you. You just try to live day by day."

LaMarr said the case is more than just a personal tragedy and hopes this will provide a meaningful change to protect future patients from similar incidents.

Aurora Sinai Medical Center

"We believe this is the most egregious example of medical negligence in the state," said Ivory.

The other side:

FOX6 News reached out to Aurora Health Care for comment. In a statement, a spokesperson said: "We have not been legally notified of this lawsuit and cannot comment further."