Decision Report 202002811

Summary

C complained regarding the treatment that they had received from the board in relation to a pharyngeal pouch (a pocket in the lining of the pipe that carries food from the mouth to the stomach). They complained about issues regarding the surgery they had in relation to this and about the information they were given.

We took independent advice from an ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon. We found that C was given reasonable information in advance of their surgery and that it was reasonable to examine a pharyngeal pouch through surgery. It was appropriate that C's pharyngeal pouch was emptied of partially digested food as otherwise it would not have been possible to examine it. It was also reasonable that C was offered a cricopharyngeal myotomy (where a surgical cut is made in the muscle that allows swallowing to weaken it) to treat their pharyngeal pouch, as it is one of the treatment options set out in the relevant clinical guidance. Although an external myotomy was recommended, C was given the option to explore alternative approaches, but the clinicians felt the pouch was too small for stapling. In addition, it was reasonable that C's outpatient appointment with the ENT surgeon was cancelled, given they were unhappy to proceed with the proposed treatment option.

Therefore, we did not uphold the complaint.