A Co Wicklow man died of a massive haemorrhage caused by the laceration of a vein during a major spinal operation, Dublin City Coroner's Court heard yesterday. Mr Alan Hayden (46), of Kindlestown Park, Greystones, died at about 1 a.m. on June 20th, 1997, in Beaumont Hospital within hours of the operation.
Mr John Byrne, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon, said despite the assistance of highly-qualified personnel and the administration of 64 units of blood as well as plasma and other blood products, bleeding during the second part of a complicated operation was not contained. The coroner, Dr Brian Farrell, returned a verdict of death by misadventure.