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| Surgeon made 'inexplicable' errors The family of a woman who died after a series of "tragic errors" in hospital after giving birth has been awarded £225,000 in damages. Bank worker Sundari Main died two weeks after giving birth to daughter Anna at King's College Hospital in south London, the child has been award £40,000 of the total compensation. The High Court in London heard that the 42-year-old had three unnecessary operations in an attempt to stop internal bleeding before a further basis anaesthetic error led to severe respiratory problems. The hospital said it would now be sending an apology to Mrs Main's family for her treatment. Mrs Main gave birth by a planned Caesarean section at the hospital four years ago. She continued to bleed after the operation which, it was claimed in court, was not performed with a consultant present, which was recommended because of her age and medical history. A consultant later carry out a hysterectomy to stem the bleeding. But during the second operation the surgeon "inexplicably" damaged Mrs Main's spleen, said John Grace QC. He added that a medical expert said that this was a remarkable mistake to make in the circumstances and no-one could understand how a competent surgeon could have made such an error. The next day, Mrs Main's spleen was removed but the bleeding continued and a further procedure was needed to stop it. By that state Mrs Main had four operations within three days, three of them wholly unnecessary, said Mr Grace. She appeared to improve and was taken off a ventilator but an elementary anaesthetic error was made during a follow-up procedure to remove packs from her abdomen, the court was told. "This was the last straw," Mr Grace said. Due to Mrs Main's circumstances, there was a high risk of aspiration, which tragically took place leading to respiratory distress syndrome, the court heard. Following her death Mrs Main's husband Nicholas, 39, of Ulverstone Road, Tulse Hill, south London, was left to bring up their daughter on his own. No amount of damages could compensate him for the grief, upset and hardship he has gone through, Mr Grace told the court. "What is astonishing about the case is that no admission of liability has been made or any apology forthcoming," he said. Mr Justice Morland said it was "a tragic series of errors that should never have taken place". The court was told that King's Healthcare NHS Trust would be sending a letter of apology to the family. 29th January 2002 |
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