Expert: Dr Ian Jackson - please note UK based - 1/9/2010

Question
My wife had a C/Section operation on 16 Dec 2009. Although she wanted epidural anesthesia, she was given general anesthesia because the anesthesiologist said they could not get the injection into the spine. After the operation, I am told she was semi-concious and asking for her baby. This anxiety, they say, led to a sharp rise in her B.P. They then gave her valium and lagathin to sedate her with the aim of calming her down. After they wheeled her to the recovery room, where I was waiting, she stated gasping for breath and eventually went into respiratory arrest and then cardiac arrest. Thank God she was revived. She was intubated thereafter and put on oxygen but without a ventillator. She was eventually transferred to a Critical Care Unit (CCU) (ICU)and put on a ventillator. She has been in a coma since then (3 weeks and 4 days). MRI showed that the brain is normal but she only open her eyes but cannot respond in any way. She also experiences seizures and a fever. I am told by all the reviewing surgeons and physicians in the CCU that the anesthesiogist messed up big time. What can I do and what are ur views oin the case and recovery.  

Answer
Dear Kunle Daramola
I am really sorry to hear about this and cannot begin to imagine the anguish you and your family must be experiencing. I cannot comment much as i think you have been given some information locally and it is best to pursue this issue there. Suffice to say that the information you have supplied suggests that your wife was not managed appropriately after her general anaesthetic. It would also be worth chasing the intraoperative anaesthetc chart and details to see if this was managed appropriately - I have fears that the reason for the valium might be linked more to what happened then.
I will not comment further and please don't ask for further insights as this really needs the involvement of an expert locally.
My heart goes out to you - remember you will need to be strong for the benefit of your child and to ensure that lessons are learned by all involved in this tragedy.
Dr Ian jackson