The Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Inquest Report

 

 

The case of SK

SK was born on April 13, 1984. At three years of age, she was diagnosed with an atrial septal defect. Odim saw her on June 7, 1994. At that time he determined surgery was in order. An echocardiogram showed an atrial septal defect, with left to right shunting and significant volume overload.

On July 7, 1994, SK underwent surgery to close her ASD. In the notes that Youngson prepared after the operation, she wrote that there had been problems with the cannulation. In particular, Youngson wrote, it was necessary for Odim to replace a number of sutures that had been cut or torn during cannulation. Youngson concluded, "This is something that happens on a regular basis - purse string sutures are cut or torn when Dr. Odim is cannulating, often damaging the vessels." (Exhibit 20, Document 278 D)

In his testimony Odim said that he could not remember difficulties with cannulation or tearing the vessel in this case. There is no mention of any such incident on the medical chart.

 

 

Current Home - Table of Contents - Chapter 7 - The case of SK
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Previous Kim Duncan's visit
Section 1 Chapter 1 - Introduction to the Issues
  Chapter 2 - Pediatric Cardiac Issues
  Chapter 3 - The Diagnosis of Pediatric Heart Defects and their Surgical Treatment
  Chapter 4 - The Health Sciences Centre
Section 2 Chapter 5 - Pediatric Cardiac Surgery in Winnipeg 1950-1993
  Chapter 6 - The Restart of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery in 1994
January 1, 1994 to May 17, 1994
  Chapter 7 - The Slowdown
May 17 to September 1994
  Chapter 8 - Events Leading to the Suspension of the Program
September 7, 1994 to December 23, 1994
  Chapter 9 - 1995 - The Aftermath of the Shutdown
January to March, 1995
Section 3 Chapter 10 - Findings and Recommendations
Appendix 1 - Glossary of terms used in this report
Appendix 2 - Parties to the Proceedings and counsel
Appendix 3 - List of witnesses and dates of testimony
Diagrams
Tables
Table of Contents
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