A CORONER has told an inquest into the death of a woman who developed paralysis of her lower limbs after she was given an epidural for pain relief that there was “no doubt that epidural was a significant factor in the subsequent paralysis”.
Veronica Hannon (79) of Drumalee Drive, North Circular Road, Dublin, was admitted to the Mater hospital, Dublin, from St Mary’s Hospital, Phoenix Park, Dublin, on September 29th, 2010.
She had a stone in her kidney and had vital surgery to remove the kidney on October 26th, 2010, Dublin Coroner’s Court heard.
An epidural, which was given for pain relief following the operation, resulted in reduced lower limb movement and was discontinued on October 29th.
A week later an examination demonstrated severe motor lower limb paralysis and an urgent MRI identified damage to the spinal cord and a bleed. She had spinal surgery to remove the bleed and to relieve pressure on the spinal cord.
At that stage a diagnosis of spinal cord stroke was made. Ms Hannon’s lower limbs remained paralysed and her condition deteriorated. She developed a respiratory tract infection and an ulcer, which did not respond to treatment. She was transferred to St Francis’s Hospice on March 28th, 2011, for palliative care where she died on April 24th, 2011.
“There is no doubt the epidural is a significant factor in the subsequent paralysis,” said coroner Dr Brian Farrell.