Deceased
Robert Gerard Dimattina
Demographics
58y, male
Coroner
Deputy State Coroner Caitlin English
Date of death
2019-08-20
Finding date
2021-01-29
Cause of death
Aspiration pneumonia complicating small bowel obstruction in the setting of recent elective subtotal colectomy for the treatment of colorectal adenocarcinoma
AI-generated summary
A 58-year-old man died from aspiration pneumonia complicating small bowel obstruction six days after elective laparoscopic subtotal colectomy for colorectal cancer. On post-operative day 6, he developed fever, tachycardia, and hypoxia. A surgeon attempted nasogastric tube (NGT) insertion to relieve abdominal distension, but the patient vomited during the procedure and lost consciousness. He could not be resuscitated. The coroner's review found the surgical care was appropriate, the operation was uneventful, and daily post-operative reviews showed progressive improvement until the acute deterioration. NGT insertion carries inherent risks of aspiration, particularly when vomiting occurs. The coroner identified no preventable opportunities, though recommended RACS use this case educationally to highlight the uncommon but severe risks of NGT insertion.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.
Specialties
Clinical conditions
Procedures
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An 82-year-old man died from complications of large bowel obstruction secondary to a sigmoid mass while incarcerated at Port Phillip Prison. He presented with abdominal pain and vomiting following a fall, and imaging con…
82y · Female·Peritonitis due to leakage of bowel contents from bowel anastomosis following el…
Winifred Carpenter, 82, died 11 days after a right hemicolectomy for colon cancer from peritonitis due to anastomotic leak. Critical failures occurred on discharge day (10 March 2023): clinicians did not recognize her de…
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