stent left in after operation

[Quovadisuk]

In short a stent was left in after an operation which should have been removed after 3 months ,

Two years later it has shown up in X rays and long term illness and pain .

 

I have raised a complaint with the hospital as being clinical and medical negligence .

 

I have now had a reply to say the claim has been escalated to a serious incident review panel (external).

 

Does this increase the chances of making a claim against them ?

[BankFodder]

Yes, of course it increases the chances of making a claim. You really should be beginning a claim immediately and probably should have done so already.

 

I think you should send the hospital an SAR immediately to get all data that they have on you so far – and then send them a further SAR in a few months time.

 

In the meantime this is probably the kind of thing which needs to be dealt with by a solicitor, partly because the solicitor will be better placed to come up with an appropriate figure compensation, and also when dealing with an organisation like the NHS and their insurers, you probably need some experienced muscle.

 

If you're looking for a solicitor then make sure that you get one which will not charge you anything – regardless of the outcome but instead will charge the NHS once the matter settled. Choose a solicitor who is experienced in these things – not some ordinary high street solicitor who has barely done any medical negligence at all. We don't normally make referrals on this forum that there is a very large firm called – Thompsons – and you might want to give them a call and to discuss it.

 

Any agreement by them not to charge you fees regardless of the outcome should be had from them in writing

[ericsbrother]

Thompsons do most of the union work as well and have offices around the UK

were you told the stent was to be romoved after 3 months at the time of discharge for their care?

[BazzaS]

Some stents are intended to stay in long term.

If this was not intended to be left in long term and they said it was supposed to be removed at 3 months, expect them (if negligence is found) to claim your compensation should be reduced due to contributory negligence (they’ll try to say you should have gone back when you didn’t hear anything at 3 months).

[Old Cogger]

the old claim syn drum?

[Quovadisuk]

Thompsons do most of the union work as well and have offices around the UK

were you told the stent was to be removed after 3 months at the time of discharge for their care?

 

In the letters from the hospital and test results it is mentioned as a forgotten stent In this instance this stent is normally removed after 3 months to prevent future complications (calcification) which I have now learnt ...kind regards

 

In this instance there was no mention of a stent being administered and despite having on going problems and infections was duly discharged from the hospital to GP services .

 

Its only recently that the health issues have increased and the insistence that further tests and x rays be done , that the discovery of the stent was found .

 

The recent appointment this month also confirms a "forgotten stent" with other observations ... so in essence was not aware that this stent was in existence until late 2017 ... kind regards

 

Funnily enough I am already with [removed]

but they seemed to be reluctant to take this on,

 

perhaps now its been escalated to a serious incident they may well have another look for me ,

 

I have sent them copies , but have heard nothing to date .

 

If not , then I will go as far as I can with the complaint and then try another for that legal lift if required .

 

I will be replying to the complaints team by Monday to confirm registration of the complaint and that the claim is still within three years ( just ) .

 

however I have pointed out the discovery of the stent only become apparent in August 2017 after a scan identifying it ..

 

so have advised that this date should be used as this date was when the stent and possible cause of infections illness and pain ..

 

Thank you again for the guidance and advice ..

 

....kind regards

[Guest]

good luck with thompsons

[Quovadisuk]

Thank you again for your valued support ... I will keep you posted. kind regards

[Old Cogger]

stent complications ??? I have had 2 inserted since 2008, no complications. and know many with them after 28 years, what complications are you trying to ascertain???

[BazzaS]

stent complications ??? I have had 2 inserted since 2008, no complications. and know many with them after 28 years, what complications are you trying to ascertain???

 

Not all stents are the same.

It depends what stent, where.

 

So, even stents at the same anatomical site may differ in if they are intended to be in long term or not, and if you are trying to compare stents at different anatomical sites: forget it.

 

Your (and your friends) experiences with stents don’t invalidate the OP’s experience of their stent.

[Old Cogger]

what complications are you trying to ascertain??? that was a question in view of it being the 1st indication that there could complications with stents? straight forward question per se

[Old Cogger]

Interesting no body ever warned of possible complications - so far I have been lucky> #

 

A metal stent actually is permanent; your body's endothelial cells grow over the metal implant, incorporating the device into the arterial wall for the rest of your life. However, just because the stent device is there doesn't mean it will permanently remain effective in treating your disease. In a minority of cases (less than 10% of cases with 2nd generation Drug-Eluting Stents), a stent can become reblocked, called "in-stent restenosis." If this happens and your stented artery closes up, your doctor might re-open the blocked stent with a balloon, or even place another stent inside the blocked stent. In a small number of cases, the stent itself may become fractured or may pull away from the artery wall which may be a

 

 

cause of restenosis or possibly stent thrombosis, blood clotting inside the stent.

 

The best way to keep a stent from reblocking or the disease from progressing is to reduce as many risk factors as possible. That means lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet and exercise program, quitting smoking, taking the medical therapy and drugs your doctor prescribes, and scheduling an annual check-up visit with your cardiologist to stay on top of disease management. If you can slow or halt your Coronary Artery Disease from progressing, you'll increase your quality of life and prolong your stent's effectiveness. A stent is not a cure for your overall condition, but it can be a lifelong help to you in your fight for good health.

[BazzaS]

Not all stents are in an artery, let alone a coronary artery,

 

Again, you are extrapolating your situation to the OP’s. The OP’s situation might be similar, but could well be different!

[Quovadisuk]

Interesting no body ever warned of possible complications - so far I have been lucky> #

 

A metal stent actually is permanent; your body's endothelial cells grow over the metal implant, incorporating the device into the arterial wall for the rest of your life. However, just because the stent device is there doesn't mean it will permanently remain effective in treating your disease. In a minority of cases (less than 10% of cases with 2nd generation Drug-Eluting Stents), a stent can become reblocked, called "in-stent restenosis." If this happens and your stented artery closes up, your doctor might re-open the blocked stent with a balloon, or even place another stent inside the blocked stent. In a small number of cases, the stent itself may become fractured or may pull away from the artery wall which may be a

 

 

cause of restenosis or possibly stent thrombosis, blood clotting inside the stent.

 

The best way to keep a stent from reblocking or the disease from progressing is to reduce as many risk factors as possible. That means lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet and exercise program, quitting smoking, taking the medical therapy and drugs your doctor prescribes, and scheduling an annual check-up visit with your cardiologist to stay on top of disease management. If you can slow or halt your Coronary Artery Disease from progressing, you'll increase your quality of life and prolong your stent's effectiveness. A stent is not a cure for your overall condition, but it can be a lifelong help to you in your fight for good health.

 

 

In my instance the stent is in fact a

ureteral stent....

[Quovadisuk]

Thank you for the time in clarifying this for me . in this instance it is indeed a

ureteral stent.

[BazzaS]

Not all stents are in an artery, let alone a coronary artery,

 

Again, you are extrapolating your situation to the OP’s. The OP’s situation might be similar, but could well be different!

 

 

Thank you for the time in clarifying this for me . in this instance it is indeed a

ureteral stent.

 

A ureteric stent, perhaps?

[Old Cogger]

In my instance the stent is in fact a

ureteral stent....

 

Thankyou for answering

[ericsbrother]

stents are commonly put in between the kidneys and bladder to allow the passage of small kidney stones and as a precursor to having larger stones smashed up by ultrasound or laser. these are then removed post procedure. Leaving it in for 3 months seems a long time for a plastic one they would use in this instance but they do use metal ones on a permanent basis when the ureter is narrowed.

So, OP what procedure and did you question the consultant as to what would happen beofre you signed the form saying you consent to them doing anything they like