A PROMISING 21-year-old Nelson law student may have been killed by an incredibly rare allergic reaction to a surgeon's latex gloves, an inquest found.

Saira Faruque died after an routine operation at Blackburn Infirmary last September and her death has prompted an internal review by hospital bosses.

An inquest found that Saira, who lived in Lomeshaye Road, suffered a severe allergic reaction after an operation to correct a breathing problem.

The hearing was told that doctors battled for almost two hours to save her after she suffered an anaphylactic shock.

The shock was said to have been caused by a reaction either to the latex in surgical gloves or the drugs which were used during an attempt to revive her, the inquest was told.

After the hearing, Saira's devastated family said they accepted their daughter's death was an accident but were concerned that after the operation, their daughter had been left with an anaesthetist with only 18 months' experience.

During the inquest, the Faruque's family solicitor asked consultant anaesthetist Dr Tony Rose why he had left Saira in the care of another anaesthetist with less experience: "Is it your evidence that having seen what your colleague did, particularly during the period you were absent, that he did everything you would have done in response to that reaction?"

Dr Rose said it was.

Anaphylactic shock is an extreme form of allergic reaction to a particular substance, and is often life threatening.

In extreme cases, large quantities of an antibody called immunoglobin E are produced, which cause a variety of effects on the body's cells and tissues.

However, such is the speed with which anaphylactic shock takes hold, even immediate treatment with adrenalin is not guaranteed to save the victim's life.

Dr Jane Edwards, a consultant pathologist at Royal Preston Hospital said she had never seen a case like that in her 25 years' experience.

Dr Vijayadurai, an immunologist, said that rubber latex gloves worn by the surgical team at Blackburn Infirmary could have been one of the agents that led to the deadly reaction.

But, he added, that could also have been caused by drugs, including adrenalin, which were used during the treatment.

Dr Vijayadurai also said that nothing could have been done to predict the reaction. He added: "Someone could come into contact with rubber latex and have no reaction to it but that does not mean there would not be a reaction on another occasion."

Recording a verdict of misadventure, coroner Michael Singleton said: "The conclusion that I reach ... should not be interpreted as implying in any way as a criticism of East Lancashire Hospitals Trust.

"I realise that there are no words that I can say that can diminish the distress caused to the family.

"That such a reaction is so rare is no consolation to the family."

After the hearing Saira's father Mohammed Faruque said: "I really can't believe it.

"It was a pure accident but they left her with a junior anaesthetist for 25 minutes."

Mr Faruque said his daughter was an intelligent, jovial girl who was looking forward to a career in law.

A spokesman for east Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust said: "East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, which is responsible for Blackburn Royal Infirmary, is in the process of completing its own internal review of the circumstances surrounding her death, and will be more than willing to discuss its findings with Miss Faruque's family."