Parents of girl who died days after tonsils were removed warn 'trust instincts'

Five-year-old Amber Milnes suffered a fatal haemorrhage, likely caused by an infection in the part of her throat where her tonsils had been removed just days prior

The parents of a five-year-old girl who died only days after her tonsils were removed have warned others to “trust their instincts” and “speak up” if they're worried about their children undergoing surgery.

Amber Milnes, from St Just in Roseland, Cornwall, had the procedure done at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro on April 5 2023 due to sleep apnoea. Cornwall Coroners’ Court heard Amber’s parents believed she would remain in hospital overnight after the operation as she had cyclical vomiting syndrome (CVS), a rare condition. However, Amber was discharged home hours later and began vomiting on the morning of April 6. She was admitted back to hospital that evening, having vomited about 20 times.

Amber suffered a fatal haemorrhage, likely caused by an infection in the part of her throat where her tonsils had been removed, at about 3am on April 9. Andrew Cox, the senior coroner for Cornwall, reached a narrative conclusion following a two-day inquest into Amber’s death.

He concluded: “Amber died from a known but very rare complication, catastrophic haemorrhage caused by infection after a surgical procedure, adenotonsillectomy.” Amber’s cause of death was recorded as massive haemorrhage with aspiration of blood, surgical site infection and enlarged tonsils which were removed.

Speaking after the inquest, Amber’s parents, Sereta and Lewis Milnes, paid tribute to her as a “beautiful, joyful and brave” little girl who “sparkled and shone” in their family and community. “We have listened to the evidence from all the doctors and we thank them for their honesty in explaining what happened, and where things could and maybe should have been done differently,” they said.

“As her parents, we will always feel that Amber should still be with us. She should have been allowed to stay in hospital after the surgery as we asked, even if it was just to be on the safe side, or at least she should have been admitted straight away when we called in first thing the next morning to say she had been vomiting.

“We still feel her condition wasn’t understood enough. We understand her death in this way was incredibly rare but it never, for a moment crossed, our minds that she might die from having her tonsils out.

“Parents everywhere will understand and we would urge other families to Remember Amber when their children face surgery.
“If surgery is needed, then do go ahead, but if you are worried, don’t be afraid to trust your instincts and speak up or ask questions, and work with the doctors. Remember that no operation is risk-free, however common it may be.”

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