The family of an elderly gentleman who died following surgery to treat a malignant bowel obstruction received £30,000 in compensation.
The man, in his early 80s, had undergone a loop colostomy to relieve the blockage, but this was incorrectly pulled out in a distal (resting) position instead of proximal (active).
The family sought the help of specialist medical solicitor, Miriam Bi, to bring a medical negligence claim against the NHS responsible for their father’s care.
Case summary
In April 2016, the elderly gentleman was admitted to hospital feeling extremely tired, unsteady on his feet and suffering from weight loss and a poor appetite. Investigations confirmed that he had moderately invasive bowel cancer.
Given his complex medical history, including previous heart surgery and a pacemaker, the decision was made to manage his condition conservatively with supportive care rather than pursue aggressive treatment.
By December 2016, scans showed that the cancer had spread to his liver. By August 2017, his condition had worsened. He was admitted to hospital with abdominal pain and vomiting, including vomiting a brown substance.
Imaging confirmed that he had developed a large bowel obstruction caused by the tumour.
Doctors initially attempted to relieve the obstruction by inserting a stent, but this was unsuccessful. He then underwent surgery to form a colostomy, intended to divert the bowel and relieve the blockage.
Following the procedure, he had low blood pressure and reduced urine output which were attributed to dehydration. Despite ongoing symptoms, including repeated vomiting and a distended abdomen, no clear cause was identified. Although some blood markers suggested inflammation, sepsis was not diagnosed at that stage.
Over the following days, his condition did not improve. He continued to vomit and, although the stoma appeared healthy, it was not functioning properly. A repeat scan carried out several days later revealed the colostomy had been formed in the wrong position, placed beyond the tumour rather than before it. This meant the obstruction had not been relieved.
He was informed of the surgical error and underwent further emergency surgery to correct the problem. However, by this stage his condition had significantly deteriorated. Following the second operation, he developed suspected sepsis and remained in severe pain. Despite treatment, his condition continued to worsen and he sadly passed away on 13 August 2017.
Litigation
A claim was brought on behalf of his family, alleging that the initial surgery had been performed incorrectly, leading to a delay in relieving the bowel obstruction and contributing to his decline.
The case was settled for £30,000, which included compensation for his pain and suffering as well as funeral expenses and other related costs.
