Retained swab following episiotomy

This medical negligence case arose of the care provided to Mrs L following the birth of her son.

In July 2019, Mrs L was admitted to Medway Hospital for the birth of her son. Following a long labour, an episiotomy was performed and Mrs L gave birth.

The perineum was inspected and it was noted that Mrs L had sustained a deep tear. The plan was for an examination under anaesthetic and repair of perineal tear. Prior to the examination under anaesthetic, it was documented that a swab remained in situ placed by the registrar to put pressure on the tear.

The perineal repair took place and the swab count was 15 pre and post-repair.

Mrs L was given antibiotics and discharged the next day.

Over the next few days, Mrs L started to feel uncomfortable, as though something was dropping inside of her. She thought that she might have had a prolapse. She contacted the local Midwife’s Office to express her concerns. She was advised to continue pelvic floor exercises and contact her GP if she was concerned.

Mrs L was very concerned and checked her perineum herself. She could see a foreign body. Later that evening, Mrs L passed the foreign body.

An investigation was undertaken, which confirmed that Mrs L suffered a retained swab as a result of weaknesses in the system for accounting for swabs within the non-theatre environment of the delivery suite. There was a lack of communication of the swab from delivery suite to theatre. This was a “never event”.

Mrs L instructed Christina Mallery, a solicitor who specialises in clinical negligence claims. Christina obtained Mrs L’s medical records and drafted a witness statement.

Christina contacted the trust and invited them to make an early admission of liability. The trust admitted liability and the matter was settled shortly thereafter.

Christina Mallery-Nelson specialises in obstetrics and gynaecology cases.  If you would like to ask Christina a question about a potential clinical negligence claim, or if you have a general query about any personal injury claims, contact Christina at Thomson Snell & Passmore solicitors on 01892 701183 in confidence. We offer no win no fee agreements on the vast majority of our clinical negligence and personal injury cases.