Patient death leads to device ban

Surgeons have been told not to use the devices

A device which heat-seals the bleeding left by tonsil removal has been suspended from use following the death of a patient.

The single-use diathermy forceps tool cauterises the wound to halt bleeding, which can be prounounced after tonsil or adenoid operations.

The Department of Health has sent out the notice to all hospitals instructing them to stop using the device while an investigation is carried out.

The identity of the female patient, or the English hospital involved in her operation, have not been revealed.

It is not certain that the use of the forceps was responsible for her death, although officials believe they may have been a "causal factor".

'Sensible precaution'

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Pat Troop said: "While the investigation into this tragic death is ongoing, we cannot take risk with patient safety.

"The suspension on using diathermy is a sensible precaution.

"We need to establish why it is causing problems before we let these routine operations proceed using these devices."

We need to establish why it is causing problems before we let these routine operations proceed using these device

Dr Pat Troop, deputy chief medical officer

Approximately 6,500 tonsillectomies are carried out each month.

Some surgeons do not routinely use diathermy, particularly on children, but have it available as a back-up in case there is extensive bleeding.

Surgoeons will still be able to use it if bleeding cannot be controlled by any other means.

A spokesman for the department said that other problems had been reported with the diathermy forceps, with some doctors using either too much power, or failing to operate them properly.

The single-use versions of the equipment were brought in after concerns were raised about the theoretical possibility of CJD being transmitted via surgical instruments used more than once.