Shock after emergency surgery in Großhadern: 61-year-old woke up paralyzed - "I'm still in a wheelchair today"

Created: 2022-12-14 05:01

By: Andreas Thieme

Stephanie K. (61) woke up paralyzed after an operation.

Now she is suing the Klinikum Großhadern © Photo: private

She experienced the nightmare of every patient: After anesthesia, Stephanie K. no longer felt her legs and is still paralyzed in a wheelchair today.

She is now suing the Großhadern Clinic in the district court and is demanding 150,000 euros in compensation for pain and suffering.

Munich – Stephanie K. (61) has not lost her laughter.

Even today, she radiates a lot of warmth.

Despite everything, it has to be said.

Because the 61-year-old has experienced the horror of all patients: When she woke up from anesthesia, she could no longer feel her legs.

"I've been in a wheelchair ever since," says Stephanie K.

Her ordeal began in 2016.

First she had heart problems, later a tumor treatment.

In May 2019, Stephanie K. had to be admitted to the Großhadern Clinic with septic shock.

"It was a matter of life and death," says her husband Peter (62).

He accompanied his wife to the district court yesterday.

There, the family demands around 150,000 euros in damages and pain and suffering from the LMU clinic.

"I'm glad we can see each other here at all," said judge Stephan Mittelsten Scheid, who showed a lot of sympathy for the patient.

"The process is about whether or not there is a medical error," he said.

The crucial question: Has Stephanie K. been informed about the risks of emergency surgery?

Munich: Patient woke up paralyzed after surgery in Großhadern – now she is suing the clinic

The conversation in the hospital lasted 70 minutes.

"But the risk of paraplegia was not discussed," says K. According to one expert, this is "extremely low".

But Stephanie K. claims that there were problems with the catheter - two doctors had confirmed this in the past.

The former competitive gymnast is now confined to a wheelchair - and wants the clinic to be liable.

Because their everyday life is severely restricted today.

"I also suffer from spasticity, wound healing and bladder emptying disorders." She had to be operated on several times after the controversial operation in Großhadern.

"Every day is a challenge," says Stephanie K., who is supported by her husband and four children.

Legally, the lawyer Patricia Jaritz from the law firm Falch & Partner represents the patient.

Stephanie K. (61) has not lost her smile despite the difficult fate © photo: private

"Unfortunately, our house is not handicapped accessible," says K., who even started to work again after the incident.

However, she was unable to continue her job as a care assistant for people with dementia and is looking for a new job: “I really want to work with people again.

That fills me.”

Things didn't look so good for Stephanie K in court yesterday. "The installation of the catheter was flawless," said the expert.

However, it is questionable whether the catheter was initially placed incorrectly and later slipped.

The medication, on the other hand, was dosed correctly.

Nevertheless, K. had fallen into a coma.

“Movement has always been my life,” she says.

"That was taken from me.

But I'll keep fighting.” A verdict is still pending.