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Negligent Diathermy Burn Causes On-going Complications

A negligent surgical procedure has caused recurring scarring and problems for a young man now restricted in what he can do.

When Dan fell off his bicycle, he thought the injury to his thigh would disappear over time and did not worry about it.

Eighteen months later, however, he noticed that a small lump which remained at the site of the injury had started to grow. Dan's GP referred him to hospital for an ultrasound which identified a lipoma, or benign tumour of fatty tissue beneath the skin.

Dan agreed to the removal of the lipoma and was warned by the surgeon that the operation could involve complications such as infection, pain and bleeding.

When Dan came round from the general anaesthetic, however, a nurse observed that there appeared to be a burn above the level of the surgery wound. The burn was dressed and Dan was discharged.

Over the coming days, however, Dan's leg began to swell and he returned to hospital. A large collection of fluid was identified beneath the wound and Dan remain in hospital for a day to have the fluid drained. He was then discharged again.

Unfortunately, however, over the coming months, Dan continued to experience severe problems around the area of the wound. He required further fluid drainage, including the use of stoma bags for an extended period to collect fluid. He also suffered repeated infections in the wound and on-going swelling of the leg. In addition, he required further surgery to remove damaged fatty tissue due to the burn he had suffered during his initial surgery. Furthermore, he now has significant scarring to his thigh.

In fact, Dan's on-going problems need not have happened at all.

It would seem that the nature of his original lipoma did not warrant the degree of tissue removal carried out during his initial operation. It is likely that this excessive procedure led to the diathermy burn above the wound and subsequent repeated accumulation of fluid, the damage to the fatty tissue and the on-going swelling and the associated procedures which Dan then had to undergo.

Dan has been left with swelling to the left leg which impacts on his mobility. He is restricted in the amount of exercise he can undertake and finds the scarring to his thigh unsightly.

The continued swelling of his leg has meant that he has been unable to pursue the education and career that he had chosen and is now restricted in the work he can undertake.

We supported Dan in his claim for compensation for his pain, suffering and subsequent losses. He was awarded in excess of £100,000.

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

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