Bowel injury
Bowel injury following Caesarean section
Lola underwent a Caesarean section for fetal distress in September 1999. The baby was born in good condition, but two days later Lola was diagnosed with peritonitis, and a laparotomy discovered a small bowel perforation. A small bowel resection and anastomosis was performed, and Lola was in intensive care for 10 days. PMS Expert Report concluded that the bowel was negligently perforated during the Caesarean Section and that it was also negligent not to identify the perforation before closing the abdomen. Lola’s unusual lack of symptoms meant that the delayed diagnosis of peritonitis cannot be seen as negligent. The case settled to the satisfaction of both parties.


