Inquest into the Death of Gerda Theresia DUNKEL

Inquest into the Death of Gerda Theresia DUNKEL

Delivered on :21 June 2019

Delivered at : Perth

Finding of : Coroner Linton

Recommendations :N/A

Orders/Rules : N/A

Suppression Order : N/A

Summary : At the time of her death the deceased was recovering from gastrectomy sleeve surgery. She developed complications from a rare blood condition, which was not reasonably detectable prior to her undergoing bariatric surgery.

The deceased underwent surgery on 19 October 2015 which was reported be uncomplicated. She was given deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis and was discharged home the following day.

On 28 October 2015 the deceased was taken to St John of God Hospital Murdoch with severe upper abdominal pain. She was taken into theatre and found to have a splenic infarction and a very large bleed. The reason for the ruptured spleen was not immediately clear. After surgery the deceased developed multi-organ failure, but following treatment over several days her health improved.

On 5 November 2015 the deceased had a raised temperature and was noted to have a swollen right leg. Blood testing revealed a possible blood disorder, myeloproliferative neoplasm. She was already on full anticoagulant therapy. While additional treatment options were being considered the deceased went into cardiac arrest due to a catastrophic pulmonary embolism. Despite resuscitation efforts she died that evening.

The Coroner found the deceased died as a result of pulmonary thromboembolism in a woman with likely myeloproliferative neoplasm and death occurred by way of natural causes.

Catch Words : Bariatric surgery : Guidelines : Post-surgical care : Natural Causes

Last updated: 2-Jul-2019

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