I have been given the odds of what looks like 1000 squared. ie 2 for an operation what does it mean

Question

I am told that this may affect about 1 patient in every 1000. 2 although the two is small and top right as in squared

Answer 1

1 in 1000^2

1 in 1000000

1 in one million.

Answer 2

Check the context of the statement you read.

The small superscripted 2 may be a reference to a footnote or endnote, perhaps indicating the source of the statistic.