Expert: Dr Ian Jackson - please note UK based - 8/3/2007

Question
QUESTION: Which profession(al)is responsible for pain following surgery (spinal laminectomy) resulting in an undetected tear of the dura.  The surgeon waited 6 days before going back in to discover the extent and location of the leak.? All the whilte I was in excruciating pain and hospital refused to up the dosage or to call the Doctor with my screaming request for stronger medication?

ANSWER: Hi Stan
I am sorry to hear about your recent problem.
In the UK post operative pain relief is started by the anaesthetist but then is usually looked after by the ward staff and the trainee doctors working on the ward. Where there are pain problems they can call us for help.
I am uncertain what happened in your case but it sounds like you had an unexpected problem and the extent of your pain was not appreciated by the staff looking after you.
I cannot really offer any other advice I'm afraid. I hope you are now well and that the operation has helped you.
Kind regards
DR Ian Jackson

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Who's at fault if, when they went in the second time, six days later, they found unforseen tears that they then repaired and left me with a both a numb and painful left back of the thigh, bit of my calf and the entire outer left side and heel of my left foot and 3 toes? Is that a bit clearer?

Answer
Hi Stan
I understand that this has been a very bad experience for you and has left you with issues that are unresolved. You are asking me to attribute fault but this is not something I can do. You really need to contact those who cared for you during this time and ask these questions. If they refuse to help (which I believe would be unusual in the UK) then you have every right to make a formal complaint to the hospital which will then investigate.
If you are outside the UK then I do not know the mechanism for managing these issues.
However it is important for you to try and work through these issues with those involved. I'm afraid that anaesthesia and surgery do have risks and everything does not always go to plan. I believe what you need to know is that everything was performed to expected standards and why was your problem not taken seriously more quickly.
I'm sorry if this is not the answer you are looking for but there is little else I can suggest.
Kind regards
Dr Ian Jackson