Surgeon denies operation error

Tuesday 17th May 2011, 2:29PM BST.

Princess Elizabeth Hospital A WOMAN whose vocal cord was damaged following a throat operation claims surgeon Richard Vowles breached his duty of care.

Sharon Williams underwent a thyroidectomy operation in March 2007 after being diagnosed with a multinodular goitre, which might have been cancerous, on her thyroid.

Ear, nose and throat specialist Mr Vowles conducted the operation, which damaged a nerve in Mrs Williams’ throat.

Mrs Williams claimed Mr Vowles breached his duty of care by failing to locate the nerve before starting the operation.

But Mr Vowles said he could not find the nerve and believed he had taken reasonable care and skill during surgery.