On 10th January 2020, Mrs T was admitted to Darent Valley Hospital with suspected right renal colic. A CT scan confirmed a right kidney stone, 4mm in diameter. Urologists were unable to remove the stone there and then as the area was too inflamed, so a stent was fitted the following day and she was sent home with antibiotics.
Mrs T returned to hospital on 31st January 2020 and was consented for a “R ureteroscopy and laser ablation of stone”. During surgery, the stent was removed and an attempt was made to remove the stone manually with a basket. In the course of trying to remove the stone, the Claimant’s ureter was torn away from her kidney as a result of negligence on the part of the treating surgeon. As a result of the negligence, Mrs T subsequently underwent the following further interventions:
• Right nephrostomy insertion 31st January 2020 – she described this experience as barbaric and was diagnosed with PTSD as a result;
• Cystoscopy, right retrograde and antegrade ureteropyelogram, diagnostic ureteroscopy and change of nephrostomy tube with failed rendezvous procedure 4th February 2020;
• Right ureteroscopy and attempted insertion of ureteric stent 10th February 2020;
• Second failed rendezvous procedure 20th February 2020;
• Exchange of right nephrostomy tube 13th May 2020;
• Laparoscopic right ureteric reconstruction and removal of renal stone 10th June 2020;
• Removal of nephrostomy 16th June 2020;
• Right retrograde study and removal of stent 13th August 2020;
• Multiple CT scans and a mag3 renogram.
A subsequent CT scan reported satisfactory healing of the right ureteric repair, and on 21st May 2021, a MAG3 renogram showed normal drainage of the right kidney.
Whilst the defendant made an early admission in respect of the negligent performance of the surgery, only limited admissions were made in respect of what damage and further operations flowed from this. We obtained numerous expert reports in support of our client’s claim and after a long period of negotiation, settled in the sum of £185,000. With this money, Mrs T was able to get the intensive treatment she needed for her PTSD and start a new life with her husband back in Northumberland, where she was originally from.