previous colostomy was. In addition, a small perforation in the small intestine which occurred when mobilising the bowel from the pelvis was sutured closed, and then all of the wounds were left open and the defect was covered with abdominal packs and it was hoped that if her condition was stable, then given the packs might be able to be removed. Q. And could you tell me what happened post-surgery. A. Well after the - after the surgery she returned to the Intensive Care Unit, however her blood pressure was extremely low and it was difficult to support her blood pressure and the decision then was made by Dr Sandy Peake that her prognosis was extremely poor and family members attended her bedside and I understand that Ms Roach died at 5 o'clock on the 22nd of May 1998. (Exhibit C4, p12). Mr Hewett said that the infected fluid that he drained from the area adjacent to the colostomy site was secondary to that procedure, and the complications arising from its failure, and was not related to the initial anastomosis. (T24). Unfortunately, Mr Hewett’s efforts were unsuccessful, and, as he indicated, Ms Roach’s condition failed to improve. She died at about 5:15am on 22 May 1998. Cause of death A post-mortem examination was performed on the body of the deceased by Dr J D Gilbert, forensic pathologist, on 25 May 1998. Dr Gilbert found: intestine: The right colon has been mobilised. At the proximal transverse ‘Large colon, the bowel was divided and the free ends were identified in the upper end of the open abdominal wound. Distally, the rectosigmoid anastomosis broke down readily despite gentle removal. It appeared, however, to have been intact prior to removal’. (Exhibit C2a, p2). He also clear signs of generalised septicaemia and peritonitis, and associated respiratory, hepatic and renal failure. Dr Gilbert’s report contains the statement:
previous colostomy was. In addition, a small perforation in the small intestine which occurred when mobilising the bowel from the pelvis was sutured closed, and then all of the wounds were left open and the defect was covered with abdominal packs and it was hoped that if her condition was stable, then given the packs might be able to be removed. Q. And could you tell me what happened post-surgery. A. Well after the - after the surgery she returned to the Intensive Care Unit, however her blood pressure was extremely low and it was difficult to support her blood pressure and the decision then was made by Dr Sandy Peake that her prognosis was extremely poor and family members attended her bedside and I understand that Ms Roach died at 5 o'clock on the 22nd of May 1998. (Exhibit C4, p12). Mr Hewett said that the infected fluid that he drained from the area adjacent to the colostomy site was secondary to that procedure, and the complications arising from its failure, and was not related to the initial anastomosis. (T24). Unfortunately, Mr Hewett’s efforts were unsuccessful, and, as he indicated, Ms Roach’s condition failed to improve. She died at about 5:15am on 22 May 1998. Cause of death A post-mortem examination was performed on the body of the deceased by Dr J D Gilbert, forensic pathologist, on 25 May 1998. Dr Gilbert found: ‘Large intestine: The right colon has been mobilised. At the proximal transverse colon, the bowel was divided and the free ends were identified in the upper end of the open abdominal wound. Distally, the rectosigmoid anastomosis broke down readily despite gentle removal. It appeared, however, to have been intact prior to removal’. (Exhibit C2a, p2). He also clear signs of generalised septicaemia and peritonitis, and associated respiratory, hepatic and renal failure. Dr Gilbert’s report contains the statement:
ROACH%20Dawn%20Ruth.docx