No medical procedure is without risks and even the most so-called routine procedures can result in a patient suffering harm and painful injuries. An extreme and heart wrenching example of how even seemingly routine procedures can go wrong, involves the case of a 13-year-old girl who doctors say is now brain dead after undergoing surgery to remove her tonsils.

An investigation into the medical mishap is still underway, but the girl's family contends she began experiencing problems while still in the hospital recovering from the procedure. One of the girl's relatives was at her bedside when blood began flowing from the girl’s nose and mouth.

While members of the hospital's staff attempted to attend to the 13-year-old, she went into cardiac arrest. The medical emergency resulted in the girl suffering a devastating brain injury that, according to doctors, has left her brain dead.

Today, the girl's mother holds vigil beside her daughter’s hospital bedside as machines work to keep the 13-year-old alive. The mother still seems in shock as the procedure was considered routine and she was supposed to be able to take her daughter home the day after the surgery.

While it's not yet clear what factors may have contributed to the young girl's tragic fate, it's possible that a medical mistake is fully or partially to blame. During any procedure, a doctor may nick an artery or organ or an anesthesiologist may fail to properly monitor a patient's vital signs. We'll continue to follow this story and provide updates as more details come to light.

Source: KPIX 5, "Oakland Teen Declared Brain Dead Days After Routine Tonsil Surgery," Cate Cauguiran, Dec. 16, 2013