Permanet stitches used not dissolvable- anyone else experienced this or am I the only one.....!

[daisym]

Discovered recently that the stitches I had 2 years ago for my third degree tear were permanent rather than dissolvable (the surgeon made a mistake...) and I'll have to have them removed because they're causing me problems (very sharp feeling, feel like thorns sticking into me). I'm so annoyed that they used the wrong stitches (nylon apparently) and cant believe this could have happened. The surgeon whos going to do the op said this is very rare so would be interested to know if this has ever happened to anyone else...

Did they not check you at your six month check? Have you not noticed before now?

No, it didn't happen to me, I had dissolvable stitches, but I still had them manually removed after five days because they were so annoying. Poor you having them for 2 years!

No they didnt check, I've been suffering from years and knew it was from the stitches but various doctors kept telling me I'd developed some sort of itching bum syndrome and kept prescribing me pile cream. Of course the whole time it was these stitches causing the itching sensation. Eventually paid to see a consultant privately who knew immediately it was from the surgeon using permanent stitches. He got my notes from the hospital which confirmed it...

Yes its been 2 years of hell! Cant wait to get rid of the damn things!

I can understand that a doctor made a mistake and used the wrong stitiches, but I can't understand how none of the doctors you've seen failed to realise what the problem was!

So you're paying a doctor privately to repair a mistake made by the NHS ...typical.

Not that I usually advocate suing hosptals/doctors, I really think you should do something here. YOU should not pay to go private for a mistake made, which is clearly written on your notes. I would think about going to a solicetor and discussing this, or at least approachin the hospital with a strongly worded letter

yes, its going to cost me loads. Having to borrow the money as cant cope with the itching any longer. Consultant said I'd be on an NHS waiting list for a long time as they would take the attitude that I should just live with the problem... Not sure how right he is, hope they wouldnt take this attitude as it was their mistake!

Personally I would be looking to get some legal advice about this, it doesn't seem right at all that you're having to pay to get an NHS mistake fixed.

Def get legal advice, can't believe you've had to put up with that for two years- you shouldn't have to pay!

I agree you should seek advice. I'd go straight to the top and complain threatening to go to the papers etc.

The surgeon using the wrong stitches may not have been a huge issue, if they ahd been removed when they should have, but the misdiagnosis is surely a form of neglect???

And don't pay for it, go to one of those companies that sues for medical negligence and makes them apy the legal fees, I'm sure someone will know the right place. You just have to be careful it's a reputable company rather than an ambulance chaser with a ridiculous charge if they win.

Just to back up VictorianSqualor as a lawyer (without experience in medical cases I hasten to add) I would say avoid ambulance chasers, ask around for an expert in Clinical Negligence. If they think you have a case they will enter a proper no win no fee agreement with you. But you can't sue until you have followed the hospital's complaints procedure. That does mean that the NHS will not without more be liable for your private medical costs, unless you have given the NHS a proper chance to rectify matters. Now I am not saying you haven't, after all if your GP had had one good look it would have been obvious I guess....and you can be forgiven for not wanting that team of surgeons anywhere near your private parts ever again. Just giving a general warning here.

Not in the same area but I had permanent stitches put in by mistake following a laporoscopy. They actually tore when I was newly pregnant and it was enormously painful so yes definitely get them removed for no other reason than if you do get pregnant again, things shift round and they can cause brand new rips!!!

Oh and sue them - they clearly fucked up royally. However may I suggest you start with a formal complaint to the hospital and make it clear that you require damages and the costs of restorative surgery. They may not even bother going to court on this - it's too costly if they can see that they have messed up - and will make you an offer.

I think if you threatened to sue regarding this, the waiting list may suddenly become much shorter.

Everyone makes mistakes, but the fact that the mistake was not picked up for two years, and you were fobbed off during that time, gives you a very strong case when insisting that the NHS deal with this - and soon.

Good luck.

Thanks for everyones responses. I am going to formally complain. I feel more upset that I have been suffering needlessly for 2 years because all the NHS doctors/consultants I've seen havent picked the problem up despite me explaining in great detail my symptons. Went for a walk this morning and of course the tell tale synpton of sharp needles sticking up my bum was there the whole time- cant believe I've been suffering like this for years and I blame myself for not forcing the issue. It was easier to be palmed off my doctors saying I should use pile cream rather than forcing them to refer me to a bum specialist. It took me months to pluck up the courage to see one privately and my gp was reluctant to even write the referral letter.... I had a sneaky look at her referral letter and the whole tone implied I was some hyponchondriac making everything up! Have to book an appointment to see the private surgeon next week to talk about the op. Dreading having my nether regions interfered with again but it has to be better than suffering this constant pins and needles sensation!

Had removeable stitches both times with my CSecs but will bear you in mind if I have to have another CSec this time. Thanks for the warning!

Also a lawyer although not a clin neg one. Couple of things to bear in mind.

1. There is a 3 year limit on personal injury actions from date of negligence (arguable whether that is stitches being put in or doctor failing to spot them as cause) so put a time limit in your complaint of when you want a reply by for that reason.

1. Also put a date for reply as a provide an appropriate response and resolve this problem (ie operate) or you will be forced to pay to resolve it - that gives you a better chance of saying that the loss you suffer (payment for the op) is a fair and reasonable course of action.

1. It might be worth speaking to a clin neg lawyer before writing the initial complaint for the first 2 reasons. If you are citing your GP in the complaint then I'm not sure but I think the complaint goes to your PCT and hospital.

Good luck.

Good points, Tigger. Daisy, it may be possible to get some initial free advice.

OMG.
How awful for you.
I hope you get his sorted and that you make a full recovery once you have been fixed.

yes its been bloody awful, I think after this experience I could face anything! Its ruined my experience of childbirth and having a young baby- my only consolation is that after suffering all this surely if I have another child it cant happen again- at least I'll know to tell the doctor to use dissolvable stitches and to double check he has...

happened to my brother, he developed a stitch abscess and an infection shortly after

my brother obviously wasn't pregnant but had to have important surgery,
the important thing I'm getting at is that doctors should be more careful

I just wanted to post my sympathies here. My stitches (3rd degree tear) also did not dissolve. For 10 months. Thankfully I got the really spikey external parts snipped off at 6 weeks by the local nurse - I know exactly what you mean when you talk about spikey bum stitches! I was also fobbed off repeatedly for months. It is so difficult to advocate for yourself when you have a new born baby, are in pain and everyone thinks you are being ridiculous.

I eventually rang the antenatal ward in tears and demanded to speak to the supervisor of midwives. (I rang them at 4 weeks PP too and they told me to see my GP). MW was gobsmacked and got me in to see the consultant the next week. He checked the notes and said it was written down that temp stitches were used but that he could still feel the stitches. He recommended perineal massage (and sex) to encourage the last few pieces go break down.

Funnily enough I'll be having an ELCS with #2. New MW is absolutely convinced I was stitched with the wrong suture.

I'm sorry that you've haD to go through this and you werent taken seriously. Definitely go back to your GP and demand an urgent referral to your obs/gynae consultant if you haven't seen one already. You shouldn't have to pay privately to have this fixed!

Wait, OP you said 2 year ago. That's exactly when this happened to me. If it's not identifying to you can you say which hospital it was? Mine was Glos Royal.

Just reading these posts and a similar thing has happened to me. I gave birth 4 weeks ago and suffered a 3rd degree tear ending up in theatre. I came home a few days later. I was very swollen and uncomfortable but as expected after internal stitches and packs. The swelling went down but I was still very uncomfortable, I kept telling the midwifes but they reassured me it was all normal and keep on your pain relief. By 3 weeks I’d had enough, I’d looked myself and could see the stiches still. Made an appointment with gp and she said stiches had broken down and there was an infection. I still didn’t feel happy and made another appointment with midwife. She then told me these were not disolveable stiches and removed them for me. What a relief! I couldn’t believe the gp hadn’t realised they weren’t dissolvable and that the hosp had sent me home with them!
I am now concerned the same stiches were used internally? I still feel sharp aching pains at 4. Weeks. Any advise?