Coroner's Finding: Revell, Dianne Judith

65y · Female·decompensated liver failure

Ms Revell, a 65-year-old with Child Pugh Class C cirrhosis secondary to 20 years of heavy alcohol use and hepatitis C, was admitted following an intoxicated fall causing an olecranon fracture. Post-operatively, she developed a small bowel obstruction and rapidly decompensated. Clinical lessons include: recognising that cirrhotic patients metabolise anaesthetics poorly (delayed awakening was a warning sign); early identification of post-operative complications; and proactive family communication regarding serious diagnoses. The coroner found no systemic failures, though the family questioned delayed disclosure of liver disease severity. Her death from decompensated liver failure was ultimately related to end-stage cirrhosis and the physiological stress of trauma and surgery in a severely compromised patient.