DEATH DURING OPERATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3775, 20 July 1926, Page 68

DEATH DURING OPERATION.

The inquest on Mary Ann Wood, who died in the Hospital during an operation, was concluded before Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M. (coroner) on July 12. Dr Fergus, who performed the operation, said deceased was suffering from intestinal obstruction. An operation was required immediately, and was commenced at 0.30 a.m. on July 9. “'ifteen minutes later the patient stopped breathing. Artificial respiration was at once commenced and other restorative means adopted, but without avail. The restorative measures were continued for about half a hour. Had he known deceased had a weak heart he would have still operated. It was essential; she would have died without the operation. Dr Rich, house surgeon, said he administered the anaesthetic for the operation, which had gone for about 20 minutes, when the patient stopped breathing. It was then practically concluded. The anesthetic was pure ether. The .patient failed to respond to the restorative measures, which were used as described by Dr Fergus. Dr Clark, resident surgical cfficer. said dereased was examined by him after her admission at 10.30 p.m. on July 8. She was suffering from intestinal obstruction. A friend with deceased said she had been treated by Dr Murray for a weak heart. Witness deemed an operation necessary. Dr Fergus being notified. In the opinion of witness, deceased wa3 in a fit state to undergo an operation. An operation was the only possible course; it was absolutely essential. Dr Murray Drennan, pathologist, described the results of a post mortem examination, and said he found that deceased had suffered from acute intestinal obstruction. Death was rendered more probable by the degenerated state of the blood vessels and heart. The Coroner returned a verdict that deceased died from heart failure during the course of an operation held for the relief of acute intestinal obstruction. He considered that all care had been used by the medical officers at*the Hospital and by the honorary surgeon who conducted the operation. It was unfortunate that an inquest was necessary, but the patient died during the course of an operation, and for that reason an inquest had to be held.