Failure to Diagnose & Treat Ogilvie’s Syndrome

Nicholas Leahy

Delayed diagnosis of Ogilvie’s syndrome after Caesarean birth

Our client suffered the consequences of a delayed diagnosis of Ogilvie’s syndrome following the birth of her daughter by caesarean section in September 2015.

Ogilvie’s syndrome is an acute intestinal pseudo-obstruction. Its symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, bloating, and constipation. If left untreated, it can lead to serious, life-threatening complications such as perforation of the colon, sepsis, and tissue damage.

Failure to escalate care

After giving birth, our client experienced persistent abdominal pain and distension. Her condition deteriorated over the following week. During this time, no x-ray was performed on her abdomen, and her care was not escalated to the surgical team.

Five days after the birth, a CT scan was finally performed. It showed intramural gas in the caecum, but this result was not reported to the senior doctor.

Prolonged hospital stay

Due to the nine-day delay in diagnosis and treatment, our client went on to suffer a perforation of her bowel. She was required to undergo a laparotomy and right hemicolectomy, along with an end ileostomy, just ten days after her daughter was born.

If Ogilvie’s syndrome had been diagnosed promptly, it could have been treated conservatively with medication. Instead, our client required a prolonged hospital stay, which was extremely worrying and stressful for both her and her family.

Letter of Claim & hospital trust response

After a Letter of Claim was sent to the Hospital Trust, they made limited admissions of liability. The hospital admitted that an earlier x-ray should have been performed, and that a CT scan should have been carried out sooner.

However, the Trust argued that earlier imaging would not have revealed the pseudo-obstruction and that our client would have needed surgical treatment regardless.

Expert evidence was obtained from a Consultant Radiologist, a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, and a Professor of Colorectal Surgery. All three experts supported our client’s birth injury claim in relation to breach of duty and causation.

Out of court settlement for five-figure sum

Due to the hospital’s continued denial of full liability, court proceedings were issued in April 2019. Although the hospital served a defence to the claim, the case was later settled out of court for a five-figure sum following a period of negotiation.

Client Testimonial

Following the settlement, our client shared her experience:

“I am very satisfied with the services provided by Osbornes Law. Throughout the duration of my case (over 3 years), they were extremely responsive, kept me up to date with all developments and provided clear explanations. When the Defendant came back with an offer, they worked very hard to increase it. I am a very satisfied customer of Osbornes Law.”

How Osbornes Law can help

If you’ve experienced complications after surgery that you believe were avoidable, you may be entitled to compensation. Surgical errors, delays in diagnosis, and poor post-operative care can have life-altering consequences. At Osbornes Law, our medical negligence solicitors are here to advise, and help you move forward.

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