Inquest Examines Death of Young Woman Following Elective Weight Loss Surgery
Tiddy underwent bariatric surgery at St George Private Hospital in Sydney on September 19, 2018, after being assessed as “super super obese” by her doctor.
However, she died two days later, with her final words to her father being “I want to go home.”
An autopsy revealed that her airways had severely narrowed to the approximate diameter of a drinking straw, which was likely present before the surgery.
Surgeon’s Oversight Contributed to Tragic Outcome
The inquest was told that Tiddy’s surgeon, Dr. Vytauras Kuzinkovas, did not research her rare condition, sponastrime dysplasia, until after her death.
This oversight may have contributed to the tragic outcome, as the condition affects the muscles and skeletal system and can lead to narrowing of the airways.
Dr. Kuzinkovas accepted that Tiddy was a high-risk patient who would have been referred to specialists before surgery if he had been aware of her condition.
Intensive care unit staff were also not informed about Tiddy’s condition and its significance, which may have affected the care she received.
Family Calls for Improved Processes to Prevent Similar Tragedies
Tiddy’s family has called for improved processes to prevent similar tragedies, stating that the oversight “cost Brooke her life and shattered her family’s and friends’ trust in the health system.”
They hope the inquest will lead to measures that ensure such preventable tragedies never happen again.
The inquest continues on Tuesday, with further investigation into the circumstances surrounding Tiddy’s death and the effectiveness of the hospital’s processes.