Five retained sponges and a few ill-advised remarks have led a Kentucky woman to file a medical malpractice lawsuit against her plastic surgeon.

Michael J. Bass, MD, of Lexington, Ky., performed a debridement and skin graft on patient Amanda Martin's left thigh in July 2013, according to a published report.

Ms. Martin's post-op pain didn't recede, however. In fact, a staph infection and fluid build-up demanded continued interventions. An ultrasound in August revealed the cause of the complications: Sponges forgotten in the surgical site, which were removed. Ms. Martin spent 7 inpatient weeks healing.

Adding insult to injury, Dr. Bass allegedly made offensive remarks about Ms. Martin's lower anatomy during his post-surgical examinations.

Ms. Martin filed suit against Dr. Bass, St. Joseph Health System and Kentucky One Health, the Lexington-based hospital and company which hosted the procedure, in June of this year for an undisclosed amount of damages.

Dr. Bass's attorney maintains that the doctor met the standards of care, and the hospital's attorney says an investigation is imminent. In the meantime, says Ms. Martin's attorney, the patient cannot stand on the affected left leg, which will require further surgeries.

David Bernard