DEATH AFTER OPERATION

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 97, 21 October 1926, Page 13

DEATH AFTER OPERATION

HEART FAILURE THE CAUSE,

An inquest concerning the death of Reginald Mansfield Low, aged 20, who died shortly after undergoing an operation last- Tuesday morning, was held before Mr. E. .Page, S.M., this afternoon. .', . ..- ... ..... , ...■:.. Philip-Ernest .Low-,-father of the deceased,, stated that his- son had been suffering from a sore throat. Witness sentrhimto Dr.rjM'Rae, who advised a slight operation. • ■ : - ■. ■ > Dr. Murdow.M'Keuzie M'Rae stated that he had examined Low three weeks before and had found that, his tonsils were in a septic condition. Witness was satisfied that Low was ready for an operation for their • removal, and last Monday morning thoroughly tested him to see that, his heart was in a satisfactory condition. He then ordered him to go to the hospital. The next morning both Dr. Richards and witness examined Low, and were of the opinion that he was in a fit condition for the" operation. Dr. Eichards administered ether, which Low, took quite well, and* witness removed his tonsils. The operation was successful, but ten minutes after the operation had been completed, Dr. Richards noticed a change from a healthy colour to pale, and in spite of all the attention given, life could not be restore^. In witness's opinion, the cause of death was certain failure of the heart. There was no infliction of asphyxia at any stage. . Corroborative evidence was given by Dr. R. W. Eichards. Dr. P. P. Lynch, pathologist at the Wellington Hospital, said he made a post,mortem examination of the body. As far as he could tell, the patient was one in. whom an operation could be considered proper, and he thought that proper care and skill had been used, There was nothing to indicate that death was due to asphyxia. Coroner found that death was due to sudden heart failure brought about by the weakened condition of Low's heart, which was unable to withstand the anaesthetic and the operation. There did not appear to be any lack of skill or care on the part of those who performed the operation.