A Scottish hospital has launched an investigation after a surgeon allegedly used a rusty hacksaw to amputate an elderly man's leg.
When a metal plate was unexpectedly found in the patient's leg mid-surgery at Ayr hospital, the surgeon sent one of his staff to the local B&Q to buy a saw but it was found to be closed at the time.
Due to the pressing nature of the situation, doctors were reportedly forced to find an old hacksaw in a store cupboard in order to complete the surgery.
Speaking to the Daily Record, a hospital source said of the bizarre incident: "As B&Q was shut, the decision was taken to use a saw which was found in the old store cupboard.
"It was sterilised before being used, but highly skilled surgeons in Scotland in 2015 shouldn’t find themselves in the middle of an operation without the proper equipment."
The Scottish Conservative health spokesperson told the Scottish Mail: "This is simply incredible – an indescribable way to treat any patient.
"Despite the UK’s advancement in modern medicine this episode has all the finesse of improvised surgery on Nelson’s flagship during the Battle of Trafalgar."
Ann Gow, from NHS Ayrshire and Arran, told The Record: “[We are] currently conducting a significant adverse event review (SAER) into a recent incident within University Hospital Ayr where standard procedures were not followed.
“The findings of this review and any subsequent recommendations will be shared with clinicians, as well as the family of the patient.”