Retained surgical equipment (e.g. swabs)

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Karen Richardson v Winchester & Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust
E -v- Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust

Karen Richardson v Winchester & Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust

On 21 April 1994, the Claimant was admitted to Winchester Maternity Hospital as an emergency, and underwent a caesarean section.

Post-operatively she suffered from complications with continuing bleeding from the operation wound and accordingly the wound was explored under general anaesthetic later the same day. Several bleeding points were found and diathermised. Satisfactory haemostasis was obtained and the wound was closed. The Claimant was discharged on 30 April 1994.

The Claimant felt that she did not recover particularly well following the caesarean section and noted that she had a lump in her abdomen. Her GP advised that she might have a hernia, but she was not advised to have any treatment.

As the years went by, the Claimant began to have more significant problems with the lump in her abdomen. It became substantial in size and solid and she found it difficult to lie on her stomach. She also began to have difficulty in doing up skirts and trousers.

In approximately May 2005 the lump began to get bigger and the pain increased significantly. The pain was periodic and would last sometimes for three or four days and then ease before returning.

By December 2005 Mrs Richardson was doubled over in pain and attended her GP who thought that she was pregnant. She underwent an internal examination, and her GP then referred her to the duty surgeon at Accident & Emergency at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital.

The Claimant underwent a CT scan at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital, which revealed a retained swab, encased in what has been described as a “giant mature walled seroma”. The Claimant subsequently underwent a laparotomy and removal of retained swab, evacuation of abscess cavity and excision of abscess wall, under general anaesthetic on 18 April 2006. She was discharged from hospital on 21 April 2006, and was unable to return to work for a period of seven weeks. She has been left with a substantial scar.

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E -v- Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust

E underwent an appendix operation at which time a 1inch piece of plastic was left inside his body. The presence of this foreign body was not diagnosed, and its removal undertaken, until 1 year after the operation.

During that year E suffered ongoing abdominal pain and vomiting which affected his ability to work as a self-employed lorry driver, and also ruined his Wedding day and honeymoon.

The claim settle for the sum of £8,500, representing £5,500 for 1 year of pain and suffering and £3,000 for financial losses for that same year.

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