CHI publishes reviews into spinal surgeries at Temple Street

One 10-year-old child with spina bifida and scoliosis, Dollceanna Carter, from Trim, Co Meath, died in September 2022 after a series of operations at Temple Street Children's Hospital.

After the HSE announced the review on Monday, it emerged that:

• Three children had an unauthorised device implanted during treatment, and others experienced an unusually high rate of post-operation complications and the need for unplanned further surgery. 
• The consultant at the centre of the controversy is, according to CHI, "in a HR process and is on leave but not suspended".
• The clinician ceased complex spinal surgery in CHI last November, ceased all spinal surgery in May 2023, and ceased all surgeries in July 2023. 
• Complex spinal surgery for spina bifida has stopped in CHI at Temple Street and patients transferred to CHI at Crumlin. 
• 261 children are now waiting for spinal surgery across CHI sites.

Pressure had been mounting on the hospital to release the findings of two completed reports of a review of spinal surgery outcomes in CHI at Temple Street.

The reports published on Wednesday found: 

• 12 out of 16 patients (75%) developed a wound infection requiring additional surgery 
• Non-infective metal work complications were identified in 7 out of 16 (44%) of the patients.
• Removal of metal work was required in 9 out of 16 patients (56%). 

In a statement the group said: “Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) has today published the internal and external reviews into spinal surgery for patients with Spina Bifida in Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street.

“All of the findings, recommendations and a summary of these reports were shared on Monday, however, in response to requests from families and a wish to be as open and transparent as possible on this matter, we are now publishing them in full”.

One report is by Boston Children’s Hospital and the other is CHI’s own internal review.

The two reviews can be read below: