Shocking Never Event Leaves Patient With Stoma
When Roger had surgery to remove a rare form of cancer from his lower abdomen, he hoped that his on-going abdominal problems would be over. Little did he know that his problems had only just begun.
After the operation, Roger remained in hospital as his wound was failing to heal and had started to leak fluid. He was suffering with swelling of his lower abdomen and a hernia developed at the point of one of his surgical incisions.
Consequently, Roger had to undergo a number of further surgical procedures to try to bring about closure of his wound, with surgeons using VAC dressings to try to help the process. Suffering a number of delays to surgery and little sign of his wound healing, Roger became increasingly frustrated.
Eventually, almost a month after his operation, Roger was discharged and allowed to go home.
Unfortunately, Roger soon realised that his abdomen was starting to swell and he was sent for a further CT scan to try to identify the cause. It appeared that there was a collection of fluid and gas in his lower right abdomen but no action was taken as it was thought to be resolving.
Within a few months, however, Roger started to fall ill, suffering with abdominal pain and swelling along with a high temperature and shivers.
He was returned to hospital for a further CT scan which again showed a collection in the right region of the abdomen as well as a possible fistula or hole in the colon. He would need to undergo another operation.
At this point, any action seemed to go on hold. Roger's surgery was continually delayed, causing him increasing stress and frustration until, eventually, two months later, he was admitted for the removal of part of his bowel and the creation of a temporary stoma. This was now more than a year after Roger had undergone his initial operation.
Astonishingly, during the course of this procedure, the surgeon found that a piece of plastic 18" in diameter had been previously left in Roger's abdomen. This was a piece of ABThera, used to help close Roger's wound. It should never have been left in situ long-term. Such an occurrence is described as a 'never event', something which should simply never happen.
Although this appalling occurrence had been discovered and resolved, and although Roger subsequently underwent a reversal of his stoma, he continued to suffer severe abdominal problems as a result, developing multiple hernias and continued problems with closure of his wound.
Roger continues to suffer with fatigue, pain and urgency when needing the toilet as well as multiple hernias. It has been almost impossible for him to return to work and he feels that his future is uncertain.
Roger was shocked by the quality of care he had received and asked Glynns Solicitors to investigate this on his behalf.
Our medical expert commented, "it is difficult to understand how an 18" piece of ABThera plastic with exposed sponge at its edges could have been left in the abdomen." She also found that, had it not been for the plastic left in Roger's abdomen, he would not have developed a fistula in the colon, nor would he have needed part of his bowel to be removed or the creation of a stoma. The subsequent further operation to reverse the stoma would not have been required either and he would not have developed a number of hernias.
Not surprisingly, Roger was awarded significant compensation for the pain and suffering he had needlessly suffered and the practical, psychological and financial impact on his life. He was awarded in excess of £300,000.
(Details which might identify our client have been changed.)
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