Ovary removal action settled

A MOTHER of three children who alleged both of her ovaries were unnecessarily removed by an obstetrician at Tralee General Hospital has settled her High Court action on undisclosed terms.

On the basis of the settlement, Mr Justice Paul Butler yesterday struck out the proceedings brought by Joan Mangan against Dr Victor Moore, of Thornhill House, Strand Hill Road, Sligo, and the HSE, over the procedure carried out on March 24, 2000. The judge also made an order for taxation of Ms Mangan’s costs against both defendants.

The case was due to open yesterday. However, after talks between Dr John O’Mahony SC, for Ms Mangan, and counsel for the defendants, who denied the claims, the action was settled yesterday afternoon. No details were disclosed.

In her claim, Ms Mangan 39, of Riverhaven, Coolcorcoran, Killarney, Co Kerry, said she had three children born by caesarean section and had undergone a total abdominal hysterectomy prior to attending Dr Moore at Tralee General Hospital in March 2000 complaining of abdominal pain.

Ms Mangan said she was then aged 32 and Dr Moore was a locum consultant gynaecologist and obstetrician at the hospital. She said an ultrasound scan suggested an enlarged right ovary and she was admitted to the hospital on March 24 for a laparotomy, which was carried out by Dr Moore.

Ms Mangan claimed that, during the laparotomy, it was found by Dr Moore that the right ovary was trapped and laterally adherent to the pelvic wall. She claimed Dr Moore removed the right ovary and also removed the left ovary in order, according to his notes, “to avoid risks of recurrent trapped ovary”.

It was alleged there was no need for the removal of either ovary and alternative procedures could and should have been carried out.

Because of the alleged wrongful and unnecessary removal of the ovaries, Ms Mangan claims she will have to take hormone replacement therapy for the next 20 years and also suffered mental distress, depression, bladder difficulties and other problems.