QB-2022-000824 - [2025] EWHC 1610 (KB)

All of the experts agree in the joint statement that that hysterectomy/pelvic clearance can be beneficial for pelvic pain associated with chronic pelvic inflammatory disease (Mr Magos describing this as “the treatment which is likely to be the most effective in chronic PID”) and that on balance the Claimant will likely have this surgery. Mr Slack injects a note of caution in the joint statement, opining that there is little evidence to support its use in the management of adhesion-related pain.

The picture was perhaps slightly less clear following oral evidence. In cross-examination by Mr Gibson, Mr Raine-Fenning said that it was not probable, but possible that she would have such surgery, but was unable to provide a percentage chance. He accepted that pelvic clearance does not necessarily clear pain, and the fact that it would necessarily be done after the Claimant’s family was complete meant that there was a risk that her pain would be centralised by this time and not go away. In cross-examination by Mr Dufficy, Mr Slack said that the surgery had potential to resolve that element of her pain which was related to the chronic PID, but much of her pain was due to pelvic adhesions. It was unlikely that surgery would remove all of them, and might cause new adhesions to form. I accept this evidence.