15CM PIECE OF PLASTIC LEFT IN TOP OF HEART – SURGERY NOT AVAILABLE IN NZ

A 15cm catheter remnant was only discovered after years of being hospitalised for repeat sepsis & blood clot events. Following his kidney transplant, the surgeon inadvertently tore the top of his heart open while trying to retrieve the catheter. Priority was given to save his life. The plan was to go back in six weeks later to retrieve it, but an error meant this never happened and the family were never informed of it.

Simon has suffered immense adverse health and a prognosis of a shortened life. After a visit to a cardio thoracic surgeon, it was deemed a full open-heart surgery would be required to attempt retrieval. He was however given a 2% chance of survival.

Simon has had a consultation with a professor overseas who has devised a unique technique to remove embedded catheters using laser sheath removal.

Why outside of NZ? Having battled ACC for treatment injury, they initially did not accept his claim stating “this is an ordinary consequence” of surgery. They then sought clarity from the professor who did his transplant, who outlined it most certainly does meet the criteria. ACC said they will pay for surgery within NZ, but not if required overseas. Sadly, nobody can perform this procedure in NZ.