An inquest in Plymouth held on 12 October 2010 heard how a 41
year old woman from Liskeard, described as "fit and healthy", died
from a rare blood clot that she suffered in her lungs following
knee surgery at Derriford Hospital on 9 June 2010.
Mrs Tracey Carter's orthopaedic consultant who conducted the
routine operation said "there is only one recorded case in the
world of this happening after knee surgery."
Her family asked why she didn't receive prophylactic drugs to
prevent the blood clot and they were told it was considered but
decided against because of greater risks of other complications.
Her consultant did also say that to develop a large embolism at
such an early stage in the post operative period was unusual.
South Devon Coroner Ian Arrow recorded a narrative verdict which
stated the cause of death was an embolism resulting from deep leg
vein thrombosis which occurred after anthroscopic ligament
reconstruction surgery.
He said that Mrs Carter had been "extremely unfortunate."
A spokesman for Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "We wish to
express our heartfelt condolences to Mrs Carter's family."
Simon Parford, Partner and head of the clinical negligence
department at Wolferstans, commented that "this was a very
unfortunate incident and I am extremely saddened for the family. On
this occasion Mrs Carter died from a wholly unforeseen event for
which no-one can be blamed."
Not infrequently, however, failures to prevent the development
of pulmonary embolisms or to treat them before the patient suffers
an injury, result from negligent care which entitles the patient to
claim compensation.
If know someone who has died and you need legal advice regarding
an inquest or you believe you may have a medical negligence claim
please contact us now for a free confidential discussion.