Teacher got flesh-eating disease after procedure

A SCHOOLTEACHER almost died and spent weeks in intensive care after she contracted a flesh-eating disease while having a routine surgical procedure, the High Court heard yesterday.

Co Cork woman Nodhlaig Davern was diagnosed as having the flesh-eating disease necrotising fasciitis after undergoing an abdominal examination in October 2002. The woman suffered a massive infection after what she believed was to have been a routine laparoscopy procedure.

Nodhlaig and her husband Patrick, of Glenavon, Ballyhea, Charleville, Co Cork, are suing consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Mark Skehan, of Perry Square, Limerick, who performed the laparascopy for damages claiming negligence and breach of duty arising out of his treatment of her in October 2002.

In her action Nodhlaig Davern claims that Dr Skehan should not have proceeded with the laparoscopy because of a previous failed attempt to carry out the procedure on her in 1997 and because she was overweight at the time. She alleged there was an alternative procedure readily available.

It is also claimed that he failed to warn her of the risks prior to the procedure and that Dr Skehan used a technique that resulted in a large incision which became bruised and infected.

She further claims that due to the injuries to her stomach she has been advised not to become pregnant and has lost the opportunity to have children.

Patrick Davern, a stainless steel fabricator, claims that he was severely traumatised as a result of witnessing his wife being seriously ill in hospital for more than two months. He is also upset that he cannot have a child with his wife.

In a full defence the defendant denies the claims. Dr Skehan, represented by Kieran Fleck SC, rejects the claim he was negligent, and argues what happened to Ms Davern occurred as a result of complications arising from the procedure he performed. It is further claimed the procedure was performed “appropriately” and “without any want of care” on his part.

Opening the case counsel for the Davern’s, Oonagh McCrann SC, said that in 1997 the Daverns started to attend Dr Skehan as a private client, for fertility treatment. In November of that year Dr Skehan attempted to carry out a laparoscopy and dye test, however that was abandoned due to difficulties in carrying out the procedure.

A number of fertility drugs were then prescribed without success. On October 18, 2002 Ms Davern underwent a laparoscopy and dye test at Limerick Regional Hospital under the care of Dr Skehan. She was released the following day, but she fell and complained of abdominal pain.

On October 20 she was re-admitted to hospital in a state of septic shock, and was diagnosed as having the flesh eating disease.

She was put on a ventillator, was in severe pain and required a morphine pump. She required further surgery five times between October 21 and November 11.

Eventually she was released from hospital in mid-December 2002. She had an open wound between October 2002 and March 2003, which required daily dressings. In March 2003 she developed the MRSA bug while in hospital, and required treatment for that.

Ms Davern has suffered severe scaring to her abdomen and has been advised not to become pregnant under any circumstances.

The case, before Mr Justice Vivian Lavan continues and is expected to last for two weeks.