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A first-time father anxiously waiting for the birth of his child outside a hospital ward in China was taken by doctors for a haemorrhoid operation by mistake.

The 29-year-old man, identified only by his surname, Wang, was waiting outside a surgical ward at a hospital in Shenyang, northeast China on Monday.

After waiting less than an hour, the expectant father was beckoned inside but did not hear clearly what the doctor said and thought he was being taken to a room to assist with his wife’s birth.

Inside the theatre, he wondered why he was being asked to drop his trousers and lie on the operating able but did as instructed.

"Maybe I just know too little, and I'm afraid of being laughed at for ignorance if I ask more questions," he said to the Chinese Business Morning View.

The doctors applied anaesthetic to Mr Wang, who was unaware he had haemorrhoids, and proceeded to remove them.

His wife gave birth to a healthy baby by caesarean section but the new father was frustrated that he was unable to help with their newborn as he was on the operating table.

The hospital explained that Mr Wang had been mistaken by doctors for another man and has offered him £500 compensation, but his family have consulted lawyers and may sue.