Private hospitals carried out more than 2/3rds of the surgeries involving the use of two defective hip implant devices as a result of which almost 300 patients in Ireland require revision surgeries.
The latest figures from the HSE show that the Whitfield Clinic in Waterford made most use of the DePuy products which became the subject of a worldwide recall in 2010.
192 patients have already undergone revision surgery to replace the faulty implants and a further 96 surgeries have been scheduled. In addition, 23% of patients are due repeat blood tests to check levels of chromium and cobalt as a result of tiny metal shards from the implants entering the blood stream. The HSE has also confirmed that it is now in talks with the Royal College of Surgeons and the Irish Institute of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery to examine the possibility of establishing a joint registry in Ireland. At the moment there is no such registry.
Speaking about the latest figures, Liam Moloney, Medical Solicitor based in Naas, Co. Kildare whose firm is handling a number of compensation claims from patients who received the faulty implants, said today “it would appear that in excess of 1,100 patients were fitted with the DePuy products at the Whitfiled Clinic in Waterford compared to the next highest figure of 339 at the Galway Clinic. The HSE should immediately publish all relevant data it has concerning the risk of metallosis to patients who have received these defective hip products. They should also ensure that patients can be reviewed continuously free of charge by their surgeons and if remedial surgeries are carried out that the HSE will cover the costs of same”.
