ROYAL STOKE SURGERY PATIENT DIES AFTER CONTRACTING COVID
55-year-old admitted for an elective amputation developed complications
RETIRED receptionist Louise Shenton died just three days after being struck down with coronavirus at Stoke-ontrent’s main hospital.
The 55-year-old - who had spina bifida - had chosen to have part of her leg amputated after developing a problem ulcer.
But following the Royal Stoke University Hospital surgery she tested positive for Covid-19 and passed away.
An inquest has heard her disability meant she had been mainly bed-ridden for the past three to four years, and needed to use a wheelchair.
In December 2020, she was seen by a consultant regarding the leg ulcer that would not heal. She was given the option of having the ulcer regularly redressed and checked, or having an amputation.
Mrs Shenton, of Longton Hall Road, Blurton, chose the latter and was admitted to the Royal Stoke on January 8, where the surgery was carried out.
The inquest heard she later developed a complication and her oxygen requirements increased. On January 23, her temperature increased and the following day she tested positive for Covid-19.
Dr Naveed Mustafa said Mrs Shenton was treated for Covid but a chest x-ray revealed she had developed pneumonia. The doctor said she ‘tried admirably’ to fight but the treatments were ‘causing a considerable amount of distress’. Her condition deteriorated and she passed away on January 27.
The cause of Mrs Shenton’s death was recorded as multiple organ failure and
Covid-19 pneumonia. Her infected leg and chronic kidney disease were listed as contributory factors.
Assistant coroner Sarah Murphy concluded that Mrs Shenton died due to the complication of elective surgery against a background of natural causes.
Ms Murphy said: “Mrs Shenton was admitted to the Royal Stoke University Hospital for an elective amputation. The operation was uneventful.
“On January 24, she tested positive for Covid-19. Despite maximal treatment she continued to deteriorate and sadly died.”