Surgical error: woman in her 60s paralyzed after orthopedic surgeon’s error

A woman in her 60s has been left unable to walk and in ongoing pain after an orthopedic surgeon incorrectly inserted screws into her spine during an operation.

Now, more than three years after the tragic surgery, the details of the case can be revealed as the New Zealand Medical Council decides if the surgeon is fit to continue his practice.

“[Her] life changed forever at the hands of a qualified surgeon. She is now a T1 paraplegic totally dependent on all the cares of life, described by the spinal unit consultant as a ‘tragic surgical outcome,’ “the woman’s daughter said in the report.

Medical Council President Dr. Curtis Walker told the Herald today that the council takes public safety very seriously and is in the process of considering various options.

“Options available to the Medical Board include considering whether or not any immediate action is required to protect public health and safety, for example, suspending the physician’s ability to practice or imposing conditions on his practice.

“The Medical Council also considers whether or not it needs to conduct an assessment of the physician’s competence.”

It comes after the surgeon and the District Board of Health were found to be in violation of the Health and Disabled Services Consumers’ Rights Code by surgical error, a report released today shows.

The names of the wife, daughter, surgeon, and DHB are not reported for privacy and legal reasons.

The New Zealand Health and Disability Commission investigation came after the woman underwent a spinal fusion operation in May 2017.

The report said there were problems with the computer navigation system.

The surgeon told HDC: “[U]Unfortunately, we didn’t get a good guide from the computer navigation system that is provided at the end of the day to try and provide much more accurate and hassle-free screw placement, however, no system is completely foolproof in this environment. “

The woman spent 10 days in the hospital after surgery, with chest pain, before she was sent home.

Two months later, she suffered a fall at home and was rushed to the emergency department, where a CT scan revealed that the screws in her spine were misplaced and she underwent urgent surgery to try to fix it.

However, he soon lost the ability to walk and the pain continued.

“She was too sore to lie down,” says the report.

The surgeon said in the report: “I … accept responsibility for the sad result.”

“I would like to offer my sincere condolences to [woman’s] family and for [the woman] herself in particular for the unfortunate results of treating a complex spinal problem. “

Deputy Commissioner for Health and Disability Rose Wall, who led the investigation, criticized the surgeon’s mistakes, saying: “As a result of the screws misplaced in the first operation, [the woman] he had to undergo more surgeries and treatments, and suffered ongoing pain and loss of mobility. “

“Consequently, I find that [the orthopaedic surgeon] did not provide services to [the woman] with reasonable care and skill. “

She recommended that the surgeon inform HDC about the changes he plans to make and how this has changed and / or improved his practice, and that he apologize to the woman and her family.

Wall also advised the New Zealand Medical Council to consider whether a review of the orthopedic surgeon’s competence is warranted.