The parents of a five-year-old girl who passed away shortly after having her tonsils removed are cautioning others to trust their instincts and speak up if they have concerns about their children undergoing surgery.
Amber Milnes, from St Just in Roseland, Cornwall, underwent the procedure at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro on April 5, 2023, to address sleep apnoea. Despite her parents’ concerns due to her cyclical vomiting syndrome (CVS), a rare condition, Amber was discharged a few hours post-surgery and began vomiting again the next morning. She was readmitted later that day after experiencing multiple vomiting episodes.
Tragically, Amber suffered a fatal haemorrhage, likely triggered by an infection in the area where her tonsils were removed, around 3 am on April 9. Following a two-day inquest, senior coroner for Cornwall, Andrew Cox, delivered a narrative conclusion stating that Amber’s death resulted from a known but extremely rare complication of the surgery.
Cox stated: “Amber passed away due to a known but highly rare complication, a catastrophic haemorrhage caused by infection after an adenotonsillectomy.” The official cause of death was documented as a massive haemorrhage with blood aspiration, surgical site infection, and enlarged tonsils that were removed.
In their post-inquest statement, Amber’s parents, Sereta and Lewis Milnes, remembered her as a “beautiful, joyful, and brave” child who brought light to their family and community. They expressed gratitude to the medical professionals for their transparency in explaining the events leading to Amber’s passing.
The Milnes urged families to consider Amber’s story when their children face surgical procedures, advising them to trust their instincts and communicate any concerns with healthcare providers. They stressed the importance of being proactive and asking questions to ensure the safety and well-being of their children during medical interventions.
During the inquest, it was noted that the procedure to remove Amber’s tonsils and adenoids proceeded without complications. However, her parents had repeatedly emphasized the need for her to stay overnight in the hospital due to her CVS condition.
Dr. Merry Kane, the chief medical officer at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, extended sympathies to Amber’s family, acknowledging the profound impact of losing a child. Dr. Kane emphasized the hospital’s commitment to enhancing patient care standards and implementing new guidelines for managing children with obstructive sleep apnoea post-adenotonsillectomy, in light of Amber’s tragic outcome.