Woman suing NHS trust after blade broke off during surgery and lodged itself in her body

A 44-year-old woman was left shocked, horrified and upset' after procedure, with surgeon blaming manufacturing fault

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Jane Harvey* suffered horrendous physical and mental consequences when, during an abdominal hysterectomy in October 2023, the tip of one of the surgeon's blades broke off and lodged inside her without any of the operating theatre staff noticing or an X-ray spotting it.

As a result the 44-year-old had to undergo further surgery to remove the mislaid blade part and stay in hospital longer than planned, needed extra time to recover and suffered nightmares, panic attacks and loss of appetite. She is now suing the NHS trust concerned for damages because of her experience.