Operation blunder causes infertility

01 Sep 2008

When Teesside mum, Lynn McGuigan underwent minor surgery at James Cook University Hospital she was left unable to have any more children.

Thirty six year old Lynn, underwent an endometrial ablation (removal of a section of womb lining) in 2007 but was re-admitted to hospital three days later after suffering with severe abdominal pain.

Upon her second visit to hospital, the doctors suspected septicaemia and a kidney infection and, following surgery, discharged her four days later.

The next day she collapsed at her home and had to be readmitted to hospital for tests and x-rays to be carried out. Lynn was told that she would require a further operation because it was suspected that her bowel was perforated.

During surgery, it was noted that there was no perforation of the bowel and, in fact, her womb had been perforated in two places as a result of her initial operation. A gynaecologist attended but could not repair the damage to her womb and so a hysterectomy was performed.

Lynn has experienced psychological trauma as a result of the hysterectomy and continues to attend counselling sessions.

Lynn has instructed Angela Kirtley of Irwin Mitchell Solicitors and is currently pursuing a claim against South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust. Angela commented “despite undergoing endometrial ablation at the hospital three days previously, they still failed to draw links between the operation and Lynn’s severe pain. If the medical professionals had identified this earlier, it is possible the hysterectomy could have been avoided”.

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