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Needless Throat Operation Left Man 'Devastated'

A man who was diagnosed as having throat cancer and had most of his oesophagus removed has been paid £192,500 after a hospital admitted doctors made a mistake.

Alan Brant had been told he had only a year to live after tests suggested he had a malignant tumour. He had urgent surgery and suffered complications that meant his spleen also had to be taken out, only to be told later he had never had cancer in the first place.

Mr Brant, 54, from Woking, Surrey, said the effect on his life had been "devastating" and he felt suicidal for six months after learning he need not have undergone the operation in December 2000.

He was referred to St Peter's hospital, Chertsey, about problems with swallowing. He had some treatment for a restriction in his oesophagus, but his consultant then told him a biopsy showed he had cancer. But after being discharged, Mr Brant was told his biopsy was believed to have been affected by contaminated forceps.

Mr Brant told the London Evening Standard that his relationship with his girlfriend had broken down as a result and his job as a commercial kitchen designer had suffered. "I can't bend over without stomach acid coming into my mouth. I don't go out for dinner any more because I can't eat a full meal and can't have a glass of wine with food."

Glenn Douglas, chief executive of Ashford and St Peter's Hospital NHS trust, said: "We are deeply sorry that a mix-up in our pathology laboratory caused this problem. We were open with Mr Brant and have accepted liability. We have invested £1.7m in our pathology service and put new systems in place to prevent this happening again."

© The Guardian – Story Filed by James Meikle, Health Correspondent Wednesday January 12, 2005

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