Couple sues surgeon for negligence after gauze found in stomach

HUNTINGTON -- A woman and her husband are suing a Huntington surgeon after she was diagnosed with MRSA and two pieces of gauze were discovered left in her stomach after surgery.

In 2005, Dr. Doug Henson performed hernia mesh repair surgery on Brenda Brooks, according to a complaint filed Feb. 8 in Cabell Circuit Court.

Brooks claims the incision initially healed, but split open one month after the surgery.

Henson performed repair surgeries twice after the initial surgery and both times the incision split open again, according to the suit.

Brooks claims in October 2006 the wound split open again and she went to the Emergency Room at Cabell Huntington Hospital. She claims she was diagnosed with MRSA and treated for the open wound.

In November 2006, Brooks was discharged from the hospital and went to see Henson, who suggested she see a wound specialist from the Cleveland Clinic, according to the suit.

In December 2006, Brooks underwent surgery at the Cleveland Clinic by Dr. Victor Fazio, who informed her that he removed mesh and tissue during the procedure. Brooks claims the wound began to heal again, only to open again in October 2007.

In November 2007, Brooks saw Dr. Tim Robarts, who diagnosed her with MRSA and placed her on aggressive antibiotic therapy, according to the suit.

Brooks claims on Feb. 8, 2008, Robarts performed surgery on her at St. Mary's Medical Center and found two pieces of gauze inside her stomach during the surgery. Brooks claims her wound has healed since the surgery and she has had no further complications.

Brooks claims Henson should have removed the gauze long before Robarts did.

Brooks and her husband, Lyle Brooks, are seeking compensatory damages for professional negligence and loss of consortium. They are being represented by Timothy P. Rosinsky.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge David M. Pancake.

Cabell Circuit Court case number: 10-C-113