An inquest was held yesterday into the death of a woman who died hours after a thyroid operation at Beaumont Hospital. A post-mortem showed death was due to a post-operative haemorrhage.
The jury of six men and two women returned a verdict of death by misadventure.
The City Coroner's Court heard Mrs Helen Gaffney (60), of Adare Park, Coolock, Dublin, died at the hospital on September 18th, 1996 despite attempts to save her.
At 9.30 p.m., nursing staff noticed Mrs Gaffney had a slight swelling of the neck. This worsened and a doctor was called. At 10.17 p.m. a Crash Code 9 emergency was called but Mrs Gaffney died at 10.45 p.m.
Mr Austin Leahy, the surgeon who performed the operation, said he saw Mrs Gaffney in the recovery room at 6.10 p.m. He understood she was returned to the ward at 6.55 p.m.
Mr Mark Gaffney said he saw his mother in the ward about 7.30 p.m. Her breathing was harsh but a nurse reassured him.
Staff nurse Angela Smyth said she checked Mrs Gaffney at 9.30 p.m. and found the swelling. When Mrs Gaffney was checked again at about 9.45 p.m. her condition had worsened and she was having difficulty breathing.