£45k compensation for woman whose bladder was punctured by a negligent surgeon during appendicectomy operation
A 27 year old woman has recently been awarded £45,000 after she suffered a puncture to her bladder during an operation to remove her appendix.
On 14 September 2007 she underwent an appendicetomy. During the procedure her bladder was damaged and this was not recognised or repaired at the time.
The next day, she was reviewed by the surgical Senior House Officer on-call as she had lower abdominal and suprapubic pain. She was also unable to pass urine and a catheter had to be inserted. A cystogram was performed later that day and it showed evidence of leakage of urine into the peritoneal cavity. She was given intravenous antibiotics and later that day she underwent a laparoscopy, washout and insertion of a drain. During the operation blood stained fluid was found in the pelvis. There was also another collection in the abdomen.
On 16 September she still had abdominal pain but also some tightness in her chest and breathlessness. She was told that her bladder had been damaged during the original procedure.
The catheter was left in for 14 days. On 18 September she was reviewed by a Consultant Urologist. On 19 September the abdominal drain was removed and an ultrasound scan revealed slight enlargement of the spleen and left sided pleural effusion. On 21 September she was discharged with a catheter in place and with antibiotics. She then went to A & E on 30 September because the catheter had become blocked and this was causing considerable abdominal discomfort. She was re-catheterised. On 1 October a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis showed an inflammatory mass extending from the appendix stump and also involving the anterior aspect of the psoas muscles in the bladder. A small fluid collection was seen in the Pouch of Douglas.
She was left with ongoing symptoms of urinary urgency, incontinence and nocturnal frequency. Her surgical scars were painful and this is unlikely to have occurred had she had an uncomplicated recovery from her appendicectomy. Additionally there was a risk that the leakage of urine might have increased the risk of pelvic adhesions and she had an increased risk in the future of developing incisional hernias due to the fact she had had two operations rather than just the one she should have had.
Her solicitors alleged that the bladder injury was caused by an incorrect technique being used during the original surgery. The hospital admitted that an error had been made and that this had resulted in injury. The case was settled out of Court.
This is quite an unusual case, as some risks are associated with laparoscopic surgery, and therefore if they occur, they are not always as a result of negligence. However, in this case, there may also have been a claim for a delay in diagnosis the leakage, or failing to recognise the puncture at the time of the procedure.
If you have experienced any injury as a result of surgery, or have any questions about injuries sustained during a procedure, then please contact one of our specialist medical negligence solicitors who will be happy to offer you advice on whether you can bring a claim.
Consistent with our policy when giving comment and advice on a non-specific basis, we cannot assume legal responsibility for the accuracy of any particular statement. In the case of specific problems we recommend that professional advice be sought.
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