INFECTION following routine surgery led to the death of a Honley woman.

Dylis Marshall, aged 60, of Meadowcroft, died in Huddersfield Royal Infirmary's Intensive Care Unit on April 18.

A Huddersfield inquest yesterday heard how her condition steadily deteriorated after she underwent surgery on April 3.

Consultant gynaecologist Mr Jim Feeney carried out the bladder operation, which at first seemed successful.

Mrs Marshall had chosen to have the operation to improve her quality of life.

Mr Feeney estimated he had carried out as many as 1,500 such procedures during his career.

"She was keen to have the operation done," he explained, adding that the operation was entirely successful in 80% of cases.

But Mrs Marshall's condition steadily got worse as she succumbed to infection.

Mr Feeney and fellow surgeon Mr Peter Holdsworth decided to treat the infection with antibiotics. Mr Holdsworth later carried out a second operation when Mrs Marshall failed to respond to treatment.

A pelvic abscess was found to be the seat of the infection. Mr Holdsworth cleaned it up.

After initial improvements, Mrs Marshall's condition again got worse as the infection spread through her body.

She later died from Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (Ards).

"If she had not had the operation she would not have started on a sequence of steps which led to her death," said Mr Feeney.

"It is a matter of enormous regret to me personally, and to all the staff, that a relatively minor complaint and a relatively routine operation could end in disaster like this."

Giving Ards as the cause of death due to infection following the operation, West Yorkshire coroner Roger Whittaker recorded a verdict of death by misadventure.