A CORONER has recorded a verdict of misadventure into the death of a pensioner who died after an operation to amputate her leg.

Theresa Colmer, 78, of Cornhill Walk, Overfields, Middlesbrough, died at James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, on February 6 last year.

A month earlier, her right leg had been removed above the knee because there was a blockage in the arteries to her foot, causing her severe pain.

Mrs Colmer was admitted to hospital on December 27 because she was finding it increasingly difficult to cope at home on her own.

A heavy smoker for many years, she had breathing difficulties and had developed bronchial pneumonia.

She was also suffering from an ulcer on her right foot and had mobility problems.

The Teesside inquest was told yesterday that Mrs Colmer was not expected to have lived very long if she had not gone ahead with the amputation and doctors accepted she was a high-risk patient.

In the weeks after the operation she developed an infection in the stump, which resulted in the blood clotting in several of her organs.

Pathologist Dr Christopher Rettman said the cause of death was due to multi-organ failure as a result of septic shock.

Teesside coroner Michael Sheffield said: "It is clear that Mrs Colmer's life expectancy would have been short had she not had the surgery.

"But I am satisfied she would not have died when she did if she had not had the surgery."