Surgeon operated on breast unnecessarily

What happened

Ms A went into hospital to have painful cysts removed from her breast. An ultrasound scan highlighted the specific area of cysts to be removed and showed the rest of the breast tissue was normal.

Before the operation, the anaesthetist drew a circle around the area and Ms A consented to the procedure. When Ms A woke from the operation, the surgeon had operated on a different area of her breast and had not touched the cluster of cysts. She was unable to ask the surgeon about this as he left the hospital after the operation, and did not return to explain what had happened.

Ms A was left with a scar on her breast and spent the two weeks before her clinic appointment not knowing whether the surgeon had found a cancerous lump. At that appointment the surgeon was unable to explain to Ms A why it was necessary to operate in a different area of her breast, and why he had removed a different lump that he had found. This was very distressing for Ms A as she'll never know exactly what happened or why.

Ms A had to have another operation three weeks later to remove the cysts, and is now left with two scars on her breast. She said this has significantly affected her self-confidence and body image, leaving her with lasting emotional and physical damage.

What we found

Ms A had an unnecessary operation on her breast and the Trust had not recognised that was the case. The Trust said that a surgeon could take action if they found something during the procedure that they felt could be life threatening. But this explanation was not relevant in this case because the operation was not necessary.

Also, the surgeon had not explained to Ms A what had happened immediately after the surgery, and he should have done so.

Putting it right

Following our investigation the Trust wrote to Ms A. It said it recognised that the surgery was not necessary and apologised for the upset and distress she suffered, and continues to suffer, because of this. The Trust also paid Ms A £3,000 in recognition of the upset and uncertainty, and the permanent scar she now has.

The Trust prepared an action plan to set out what it had learned from the failings, how it would avoid a recurrence of the same failings, and how it would monitor staff's compliance with these actions.

We also recommended the Trust contact the surgeon, who has since retired and lives abroad, to ask for a personal apology and explanation.