Lucrezia Ciotti Topics Covered
A Trapani and in Castelvetrano a case emerged involving eight doctors from the pathological anatomy departments: thousands of histological reports have never been delivered to over 3 patients. The investigation aims to clarify the responsibilities and delays that may have worsened the health conditions of the patients or, in the most serious cases, influenced their death.
Trapani, histological reports never delivered: critical issues emerged in the Vittorio Emanuele II laboratory
The laboratory of the Vittorio Emanuele II hospital had already been object of attention by the ASP in October 2023. It was the then health director, Maria Grazia Furnari — currently head of the Policlinico of Palermo — who promoted an audit that highlighted several operational problems.
The reports were forwarded to the extraordinary commissioner Vincenzo Spera, however the Castelvetrano laboratory continued to operate until November 2024. On that date, the current manager Ferdinando Croce decided to close it, concentrating resources and activities on the Trapani facility.
Trapani, histological reports never delivered: eight doctors investigated
Otto doctors of the pathology departments of the hospitals of Trapani and Castelvetrano, in Sicily, are under investigation for the failure to deliver thousands of histological reports to more than 3 patients.
The Trapani Public Prosecutor's Office charges them with the crimes of manslaughter and personal injury. Prosecutors also requested a evidentiary incident on ten patients, in order to ascertain whether the delays in delivering the reports have worsened the health conditions of the interested parties.
The story concerns the whole 3.313 undelivered reports relating to tests carried out between the 2024 and the 2025. Although the situation was already known locally, it took on national importance after two parliamentary questions presented by the vice president of the Chamber, Giorgio Mulè of Forza Italia, following the case of Maria Cristina Gallo, a 56-year-old woman who waited eight months for the histological report that revealed an advanced stage, now terminal, tumor.
The episode led, last May, to the resignation of the manager of the ASP of Trapani, Ferdinando Croce, who had previously been suspended by the president of the Region, Renato Schifani.
Critical issues in local healthcare: the lack of specialists slows down diagnoses and sparks protests
The Provincial Health Authority of Trapani has attributed the delays in the delivery of the reports mainly to the shortage of medical specialists in pathological anatomy, a situation that has severely slowed down diagnostic procedures.
According to the data provided by the Region, among the reports never delivered, 206 would have contained cancer diagnoses. However, these numbers should be interpreted with caution, since a direct link between the delay in delivering reports and the possible worsening of the clinical conditions of cancer patients has not yet been established. Despite this, the case has raised a wave of protests and criticism, highlighting numerous critical issues and broader dysfunctions in the local health system.