Mismanaged Surgery for Cancer Causes Permanent Disability
Attending hospital for surgery to resolve his bowel cancer, Damian did not expect to find, months later, that he was still suffering from mobility problems which would affect him for the rest of his life.
After considerable investigation of his symptoms, Damian was finally diagnosed with bowel cancer and admitted to hospital for robotic surgery to remove the affected area of the bowel.
In order to give the medical professionals access to the bowel, Damian was placed in the lithotomy position. The lithotomy position is where the patient lies on their back with their legs raised and supported. Damian's surgery then began, lasting approximately eight and a half hours.
If the lithotomy position is necessary for surgery to be carried out, there should be a period of time during a prolonged operation where the position is relaxed in order to allow the muscles and blood flow in the legs to recover. There is no evidence that this took place during Damian's extended surgery.
The following day, Damian realised that his legs felt numb. He complained to medical staff and was told that it was probably due to having been laid in the lithotomy position for so long and that it would pass.
Later that day, Damian was reviewed by a plastic surgeon who suspected that, in fact, Damian had developed compartment syndrome in the left leg and would need to undergo a further surgical procedure immediately.
Compartment syndrome is where pressure develops in the muscle compartment, causing pain and possible nerve damage.
Damian underwent a fasciotomy of his left leg that evening with a second procedure four days later. This involved cutting open his leg to ascertain the status of his leg muscle. Restricted blood supply was observed but the muscle was considered to be viable and no debridement or removal of tissue was carried out.
After being discharged from hospital, Damian made some physical improvement but continues to suffer significant pain, muscle weakness and loss of sensation in the sole of the left foot.
He has also developed claw toes deformity in his left foot which affects his mobility and balance.
A formerly active man, Damian's life has been devastated by the physical, financial and psychological impact of his surgery. He has been unable to continue his former work and has struggled emotionally with what has happened to him.
Damian approached Glynns for support in investigating the quality of his care. Our medical experts found that having been placed in the lithotomy position for his entire surgery was the cause of his compartment syndrome and associated, on-going problems.
As a result of the problems caused by his substandard level of care, Damian was awarded compensation of over £400,000.
(Details which might identify our client have been changed.)
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