'Joyful' young girl died days after tonsil removal

THE family of a five-year-old girl who died after having her tonsils removed have urged parents to “trust their instincts” and speak up if they are worried about their children undergoing surgery.

- by CLAIRE HAYHURST, PA

Amber Milnes, from St Just in Roseland, underwent surgery, intended to address her sleep apnoea, at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro on April 5, 2023.

An inquest at Cornwall Coroners' Court in Truro was told Amber's parents believed she would remain in hospital overnight after the operation, as she had cyclical vomiting syndrome (CVS), a rare condition.

However, Amber was discharged hours later and began vomiting on the morning of April 6. She was readmitted that evening, having vomited about 20 times.

At about 3am on April 9 Amber suffered a fatal haemorrhage, probably caused by an infection in the part of her throat where her tonsils had been removed.

Following a two-day inquest Andrew Cox, the senior coroner for Cornwall, delivered a narrative conclusion that: "Amber died from a known but very rare complication, catastrophic haemorrhage caused by infection after a surgical procedure, adenotonsillectomy."

Her cause of death was recorded as massive haemorrhage with aspiration of blood, surgical site infection and enlarged tonsils which were removed.

Mr Cox said the procedure to remove Amber's tonsils and adenoids was unremarkable, and she had been discharged at about 9pm that day.