A MAN died following a hospital operation despite being "on the mend", an inquest heard.

Kenneth Page, of Fox Street, Clitheroe, suffered a perforated oesophagus when doctors performed an operation in September last year involving a Sangstaken tube.

Coroner Michael Singleton said it was the second similar case he had heard in a week and asked the hospital's consultant during the inquest if there was a need to review hospital procedure.

Mr Page, 72, whose sister Pamela Groves and partner Joan Walker attended the inquest, died on September 25.

He was admitted for tests to Blackburn Royal Infirmary after vomiting blood and was found to be suffering from viruses in the oesophagus.

He received treatment through bands, injections and a gastric balloon but suffered a perforated oesophagus when the Sangstaken tube was administered. A 10cm tear was caused.

Mr Singleton described the case as an "unwinnable battle".

Consultant Vaishal Kavshik of the East Lancashire Trust, reassured the coroner there was no need to review policy at the hospital with regards to the use of the tube.

He said: "If we had been able to control the bleeding he would have had a reasonable chance of survival.

"But the mortality rate from a perforated oesophagus is very high. There is no concern over current practice. We could not have done anything better."

Mr Singleton recorded a verdict of misadventure and concluded Mr Page had died from multi-organ failure caused by septicemia secondary to a perforated oesophagus.

He added: "Although he was on the mend from the problems he had been admitted with, he was very ill.

"The complications proved to be his downfall and that is regrettably extremely distressing for the family and friends."