£140,000 claim settled for unnecessary surgery to insert vaginal mesh

We acted for the claimant in this clinical negligence claim for unnecessary gynaecological surgery against an NHS trust. Our client had a history of painful and heavy periods and she was advised to have a hysterectomy. While this was correct advice, she was also advised to undergo a sacrocolpopexy procedure with insertion of vaginal mesh which was inappropriate and wrong.

Sacrocolpopexy (sacral colpopexy) is a surgical technique for repairing pelvic organ prolapse using a soft synthetic mesh. Reconstruction is achieved with an open abdominal technique or with the use of minimally invasive techniques.

The claimant followed the surgeon’s recommendations and had her surgery in September 2010. After the surgery, she felt very tight and sore and had difficulties in defecating. These problems continued for almost four years. In July 2014 she was recalled by the trust as part of a “look-back review” at which she was advised that she had not required the sacrocolpopexy and mesh procedure.

Unfortunately, the claimant had experienced mesh erosion that required further surgery. She has been left with significant problems including bowel dysfunction, severe pain and loss of sensation during sexual intercourse.

Our investigations predominantly focussed on the consequences of the surgery and the quantification of the injuries suffered as a result of the unnecessary surgery. The claim settled for £140,000.

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