A MAN who was admitted to a Dublin hospital for bowel surgery died 45 days later due to a post-operative complication, an inquest has heard.
Patrick Rice (70), of Avenue One, Yellowbatter, Drogheda, Co Louth, underwent surgery to remove a polyp from his bowel on Friday September 21st, 2007, at Tallaght Hospital.
Mr Rice was well following the operation, but the following evening he was reviewed by doctors due to a fast heart rate and an X-ray at 11.30pm revealed air under the diaphragm, indicating a perforation.
Mr Rice underwent reparative surgery on Sunday, September 23rd. However, he was gravely ill and suffered two heart attacks in the pre-operative area.
Consultant surgeon Paul Neary, who performed the original surgery on September 21st, told the inquest at Dublin County Coroner’s Court yesterday that if he had been there, he probably would have performed the surgery that night rather than waiting until the Sunday morning, but he said small perforations can sometimes heal themselves and this is probably what caused doctors to wait.
A postmortem revealed that Mr Rice died of multi-organ failure due to rectal perforation post-surgery.Coroner Dr Kieran Geraghty said the patient suffered a complication of a surgical procedure.
In a separate inquest in the court, it was heard that Kryzfzgos Krygier (31), of Dunshaughlin, Co Meath, was killed in a car crash at La Gore Road, Ratoath, on May 7th last year. Mr Krygier, who was not wearing a seatbelt, died of thoracic and abdominal injuries. The court heard Mr Krygier had a very high level of alcohol in his system and had been driving a defective car with balding tyres and body damage.
A jury recorded a verdict of death by misadventure.