Inside Austria’s operating room horror: Girl, 12, accused of drilling into patient’s brain

A brain surgeon in Austria is facing criminal charges after allegedly allowing her 12-year-old daughter to drill a hole into a patient’s skull during surgery.

The shocking incident reportedly took place in January 2024 at the Graz Regional Hospital in Graz, Austria, according to a report by Kurier.

The patient, a 33-year-old farm worker, had suffered a traumatic brain injury in a serious accident and was undergoing a complex neurosurgical procedure.

Two doctors operated — one a senior physician and the other a neurosurgeon still in training. According to prosecutors, the senior doctor allowed her 12-year-old daughter to enter the operating room.

Near the end of the procedure, she allegedly permitted the child to drill a hole into the patient’s skull to insert a probe — an act described as showing “incredible disrespect” towards the unconscious patient.

After the surgery, the doctor allegedly boasted to nurses that her daughter had just “completed her first hysterectomy.” An investigation was launched after anonymous complaints reached hospital authorities.

The surgeon, now facing trial, denies the allegations. She told the court her comments were an ill-judged joke born of “bloody stupid maternal pride,” and admitted her “biggest mistake was letting her go to the operating table.”

However, her junior colleague testified that the girl did indeed help drill the hole — though he claimed he was “always in control” of the tool.

Prosecutor Julia Steiner condemned the doctor’s actions, calling them “incredible disrespect towards the patient.”

She questioned, “What would have happened if the drill had been defective and not stopped automatically after breaking through the skull bone? The risk cannot be downplayed.” The trial is ongoing.