Doctor quizzed on fallopian clip

A woman has described waking up from an operation to find both her fallopian tubes had been clipped without her consent.

Lorna McKeogh had agreed to the clipping of one tube but, after the operation, was told by consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Declan Egan: What did you want me to do, stitch it back up, wake you up, and ask for your permission?

Dr Egan, of Dangan, Co Galway, faces one allegation of poor professional performance at a Medical Council fitness-to-practice inquiry in relation to the procedure he carried out on Ms McKeogh on June 2, 2010, at University College Hospital Galway.

He denies the allegation and his barrister said Dr Egan believed this was the best course of treatment for Ms McKeogh.

Ms McKeogh told the inquiry she was referred for a laproscopy after she had a number of miscarriages. It was found that she had a hydrosalpinx (a collection of fluid) of her right fallopian tube. Since this was toxic to the embryo, Ms McKeogh was told the tube may have to be clipped to allow her to bear an embryo to full term.

She said she was referred to Dr Egan because her own obstetrician could not carry out the procedure because of her hospitals Catholic ethos.

She said she met Dr Egan just before going under anaesthetic.

When she awoke, Dr Egan told her that it wasnt just the right tube and that he had clipped both tubes.

Ms McKeogh said: When I asked why, he asked me did I want to continue miscarrying? He said to me: What did you want me to do, stitch it back up, wake you up and ask for your permission? He said to me he was the doctor and he made the correct decision for me.

Under cross-examination from JP McDowell, who is taking the case against Dr Egan on behalf of the CEO of the Medical Council, Ms McKeogh said she had wanted to decide about the procedure herself.

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Doctor quizzed on fallopian clip