Why did the doctors say that the operation was successful even though the king had actually died?

These lines by the doctors might be seen from various points of view. It seems amusing as it makes no sense and is oxymoronic. It thus contributes to the humour of the story. Also it shows the materiality of the doctors who, like the king, only looked forward to their aim of removing the infection. The survival or death of the patient was apparently inconsequential for them. It further might be seen as the operation or the mission of the Maharaja’s death being finally completed. The premonition came true and the Maharaja died because of a tiger as foretold.