Medics say screw was 100% not left in Llanelli woman's body
A screw found in the ashes of Carole Denby was not left in by doctors after surgery, an inquest has heard in Llanelli.
Carole Ann Denby, 63, of Pontyates in Carmarthenshire claimed the screw was left in her ankle in 2006 after she injured it in 2006.
Mrs Denby died in March 2014 after taking an overdose of prescribed medication after suffering with lasting pain. The screw was found after her cremation.
It remains unknown how the screw came to be found in the cremated remains of Mrs Denby.
An inquest on Tuesday heard that funeral home staff found what is believed to be a titanium screw in her ashes after the 63-year-old's body was cremated.
Doctors said the blackened screw did not match the type used during Mrs Denby's surgeries and could not have been left there during a procedure.
Coroner's officer Hayley Rogers said the operation was unsuccessful leading to more surgeries.
Ms Rogers said Mrs Denby was admitted to hospital on several occasions and detained under the Mental Health Act, suffering from psychosis-induced infections.
Ms Rogers said: "These detentions would cause Mrs Denby a considerable degree of distress.
Mrs Denby and her husband made complaints to Hywel Dda Health Board about her treatment.
Dr David Watson, who investigates incidents in health care settings, said the blackened screw did not match those recorded as being used during Mrs Denby's surgeries.
Former consultant orthopaedic surgeon Dr Stephen Johnson, who carried out two of the operations, said he was "100% certain" the screw recovered from the funeral home ashes was not put into Mrs Denby.
Pathologist Dr Gareth Leopold told the hearing he found what he believed were fragments of metal beneath the skin of Mrs Denby's ankle when he examined her, which he agreed were 'probably the result of surgical intervention.'
He said he could not see a screw but would not be able to see it if it was inside the bone.
Dr Leopold said her cause of death was acute respiratory failure, excessive consumption of a prescribed drug as well as obesity and emphysema.
The inquest heard Mrs Denby was last admitted to hospital for an infection on March 14 2014, was discharged five days later and died on March 25.
The inquest continues.