Settlement for woman who suffered unnecessary pain and suffering due to post-operative complications following a breast implant

Our client discovered she was a carrier of the BRCA2 gene mutation. After much consideration and counselling, she decided to undergo a bilateral risk reduction mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction. She opted to have reconstruction by way of Strattice acellular dermal matrix and fixed volume implants.

Over the following 3 months, our client was in and out of hospital complaining of persistent pain, and discharge from the left implant. It became clear that there was a small opening at the site of the mastectomy which then became infected.  As a result of this it was necessary to remove the implant.

We investigated the post-operative care provided to our client and established that there was a delay in removing the implant.

In addition, the way in which the removal of the implant was carried out, will also have implications for any future re-do procedures. Our independent expert reviewed all of the records and was of the opinion that a tissue expander should have been inserted at the time the implant was removed so as to allow the area time to heal before an implant was reinserted. Unfortunately, this did not occur in our client’s case, and as a result, she has been unable to undergo a re-do reconstruction to date and her future options now are extremely limited.

Although the Defendant denied any wrongdoing, the case ultimately settled for a substantial amount together the Plaintiff’s costs.

If you require further information, please contact Aoife O’Kane, Senior Associate Solicitor, on 019123240 or by emailing aoife.okane@listonflavin.ie