Surgeon reassures public after inquest into OAP’s death

Clare Cheek, a consultant surgeon at Hereford County Hospital, has told the Hereford Times that the vast majority of colonoscopies are performed successfully with no adverse side effects.

She was speaking after the inquest into the death of city resident Brenda Scott.

The 72-year-old, of Chartwell Road, who died on December 13 last year, suffered acute peritonitis and septicaemia, caused by a perforation of the sigmoid colon.

It had occurred following a colonoscopy and sigmoid colon polypectomy to remove a pre-cancerous polyp. It was also recorded that the patient's emphysema and morbid obesity were contributory factors.

"Almost all of the colonoscopies I oversee are carried out successfully and people should not be put off undergoing one because of this case," said Ms Cheek.

The inquest heard how the polypectomy had caused a delayed perforation in the colon, resulting in acute pain for Mrs Scott.

It was noted that these perforations can occur during routine procedures and usually heal of their own accord. However, Mrs Scott was declared as morbidly obese, which was regarded as the main reason for the perforation not recovering.

Geoffrey Smith, consultant pathologist at Worcester Royal Infirmary, told how Mrs Scott had been treated for breast cancer and was admitted into hospital in November suffering from breathing difficulties.

"She had a history of chest difficulties and also had abdominal problems," he said."She underwent a colonoscopy which showed she had a polyp that needed to be taken out. This was treated in the standard way and the polyp was removed."

But the perforation had occurred during extraction which later caused her great pain and, despite an operation to put it right, she died soon after.

It was noted that ideally she would have been seen by a surgeon earlier, although it was unlikely that it would have altered the outcome.

Deputy Coroner for Herefordshire, Mark Bricknell, recorded a verdict of accidental death.