Routine operation 'went wrong'

The woman was transferred from the Royal Maternity to the main hospital

A woman died after a routine operation when her bowel was ruptured, an inquest has heard.

Janine Murtagh, 31, of Laurelvale, Crumlin, died in intensive care of breathing difficulties.

She suffered post-operative complications, six weeks after the surgery at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast Coroners Court was told.

The court, sitting on Tuesday, heard that Mrs Murtagh was admitted to the Royal in October 2002 for a routine operation to cure abdominal pain and in an attempt to establish the cause of fertility problems.

During keyhole surgery her small bowel was ruptured.

The damage was not noticed and, over the next 24 hours, caused an infection which led to her death.

When doctors decided to operate the day after the initial procedure to find why her condition was not improving, there was a six-hour delay while a post-operative bed was found and her transfer from the Royal Maternity to the main hospital was organised.

The medical review group conceded that delay probably contributed to her death.

The case is expected to last for several days.