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Errors in Surgery and Post-operative Care Leave Patient with Cauda Equina Syndrome

Over the years, Sandra had suffered with lower back pain as well as pain issues with her right leg.

When the pain suddenly became excruciating, she attended the Out-of-hours GP service for advice and when her symptoms deteriorated still further the following day, she went to Accident and Emergency at her local hospital.

She underwent an MRI scan and was advised that her symptoms could be managed with pain relief in the first instance, followed by a spinal injection and, if that failed to resolve her pain, then surgery could be considered.

It was stated that there was no evidence of compression of the cauda equina nerves in the lumbar region of the spine which might be causing the pain.

Unfortunately, Sandra's right leg and back pain continued to worsen. She was in appalling pain and unable to work. Eventually, she found her pain so unbearable to she requested that she go straight to a surgical solution rather than trying a spinal injection.

In preparing Sandra for surgery, it appears that an important fact had been missed. Sandra had been taking aspirin and had only recently stopped. This would have increased the risk of a haematoma, or pooling of blood, during surgery and her operation should have been delayed until this was no longer a risk.

Sandra underwent surgery to decompress the spine and initially appeared to be making a good recovery. She was looking forward to going home. However, two days after her operation, she developed extreme pain in her right buttock as well as experiencing reduced saddle sensation. A bladder scan showed retention of urine. Cauda equina syndrome was considered, caused by a haematoma pressing on the nerve.

An MRI scan did not show clear results and, although initially the plan was for lumbar decompression later that day, it was then decided to delay until the following day when a further MRI scan would be carried out.

In the event, she did not undergo a second operation until the afternoon of the following day, by which time her symptoms had deteriorated severely.

When Sandra asked Glynns to investigate the quality of her medical care, our experts agreed that, given the nature of her symptoms following her first operation, her second operation should have been carried out much earlier, by midnight or shortly after, to give her the chance of avoiding debilitating symptoms.

As it is, Sandra now struggles with a distressing collection of disabling symptoms including loss of bowel and bladder sensation as well as severely compromised mobility. It is difficult for her to navigate safely around her own home and she relies on mobility aids.

She requires considerable help from family and friends at home as well as being very limited in how far she can walk before the pain is restricting.

She is currently unable to work and finds her situation extremely distressing.

She was awarded in excess of £1million in recognition of the severity of the symptoms which negligent medical care has caused.

(Details which might identify our client have been changed.)

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