Obese Scunthorpe man died after having gastric bypass

A MAN who underwent a gastric bypass operation died as a result of a recognised complication of weight-loss surgery, an inquest heard.

Robert Dunlop-Smith, 50, of Kingsley Walk, Scunthorpe was classed as morbidly obese by consultants and had a BMI of 37.62.

An inquest at Scunthorpe's Civic Centre heard he had suffered with diabetes for many years and had been taking 12 different types of repeat medication. Mr Dunlop-Smith decided to have a gastric bypass operation to reduce the size of his stomach.

The inquest was told Mr Dunlop-Smith underwent the procedure at Castle Hill Hospital on April 12 this year. He was discharged on April 25, but complained of feeling unwell and a day later he called his GP for a home visit.

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But unable to leave the surgery, the doctor advised him to go straight to A&E, which Mr Dunlop-Smith declined to do.

Three days later, a friend visited and he again complained of abdominal pains and the friend rang for an ambulance.

But Mr Dunlop-Smith suffered a cardiac arrest on the way to hospital and was pronounced dead at Scunthorpe General Hospital.

Results from the post- mortem examination showed there was a 4mm perforation which led to peritonitis – an inflammation of the thin layer of tissue that lines the inside of the abdomen and surrounds and supports organs.

Coroner's officer Martin Armstrong read out the post-mortem report.

He said: "On April 23, the operation proved to be successful and there was no evidence of any leak prior to his discharge from hospital.

"It is possible there was a tiny nick in the small intestine or it is possible a wide surface of the stomach caught and worked loose with stretching or movement or has given way to form a perforation."

The pathologist – whose name was not revealed – said the cause of death was three-fold: peritonitis, perforation of the lesser curve of the gastric pouch and laparoscopic bypass.

Consultant surgeon Peter Sedman told the inquest that Mr Dunlop-Smith had controlled his diabetes for decades, but it had recently worsened.

He said he saw a specialist on June 14 last year and Mr Dunlop-Smith was put forward for a gastric bypass.

Mr Sedman said: "I am surprised that there was a leak, but I don't doubt it happened. There was no evidence of this while in hospital."

The coroner recorded a verdict that Mr Dunlop-Smith died as a result of a recognised complication of weight-loss surgery.

A spokesman for Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust said: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Mr Dunlop-Smith. We acknowledge the coroner's verdict that Mr Dunlop-Smith died as a result of a recognised complication of weight-loss surgery."