'I lost my leg following a botched hysterectomy - and it changed my life'

A Wolverhampton pensioner was forced to have her leg amputated following a botched hysterectomy.

Sawarn Kaur, aged 81, was admitted to Wolverhampton’s New Cross Hospital for a routine hysterectomy on July 23, 2021, where her life would change forever.

What should have been a routine operation soon turned into a nightmare when surgeons forgot to record that she had received an artery clamp during the procedure, leading to her developing a blood clot and eventually losing her leg.

Following her operation, Ms Kaur said that she immediately knew something ‘was not right’.

She said: “After my surgery, I knew something wasn’t right. The pain in my leg was unbearable, and I was in absolute agony.

“I hoped that when I went for further surgery to remove the blood clot things would improve, but deep down I feared the worst. Even so, it was devastating to be told there was nothing that could be done to save my leg.”

As a result of the lack of records, medical professionals did not diagnose the absence of pulse in Sawan’s leg, leading to her having to undergo a below-the-knee operation; something that may have been avoided had she been urgently transferred for surgery.

Ms Kaur said that she had only anticipated staying in hospital for ‘around a week’; however, in the end, she was living in the hospital for five months.

“These were incredibly challenging and emotional times”, she said.

“When I got home things had completely changed for me. My son, Jaspal, had to move in with me as I was no longer able to do the simple things I’d done before.”

Ms Kaur said that by sharing her story, she hopes that she can help others who may be going through the same ordeal.

She said: “By sharing my story, I hope I can help others who may be going through something similar and also help improve care. What happened to me could have been avoided so I want to try and prevent it happening to someone else.

“I’ll always be upset at what happened, but I try to focus on what I can do rather than what I’ve lost.”

Christopher Hurlston, the expert medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, who represented Ms Kaur, said: “Sawarn has faced an incredibly difficult time attempting to come to terms with the physical and psychological impact of her losing her leg. However, she’s always remained determined to make the best recovery possible.

“We’re thankful that the Trust recognised the severity of what happened and we’re now working with it to reach a settlement which will ensure Sawarn has access to the ongoing specialist rehab she needs for the rest of her life.”

The trust admitted that had the vascular experts been contacted following Ms Sawarn’s surgery, it was likely the blood clot would have been diagnosed whilst she was still in recovery.

The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust admitted liability, and has since apologised for the quality of care that Ms Kaur received.