3 Year Old Finley Boyle Who Suffered Massive Brain Injuries in December 2013 after a Dental Procedure in Hawaii Died on Friday

3 year old brain dead, precious little girl taken off life-support …

Finley Boyle – Rest in Peace

3 year old Finley Boyle, who suffered massive brain injuries last month after a dental procedure that included four root canals and multiple cavity filling, died late Friday night.  The 3 year old girl from Hawaii was left in a “persistent vegetative state” after undergoing four root canals in early December. As reported at  IBT, Boyle’s parents, after learning that their daughter’s brain damage was permanent, decided to remove Finley from life support. The 3 year old suffered from cardiac arrest on December 3 after she was given  “grossly excessive” amount of drugs to sedate her before the procedure. She was taken to a hospital, and then to a hospice center, where she was put on a feeding tube. With no chance of recovery, the family removed the feeding tubes and Finley Boyle died at 8:47 p.m. MRIs showed that it was a lack of oxygen to the toddler’s brain that ultimately resulted in her death.

The family had set up a fund raising web page for Finely.

KITV – VIDEO

A 3-year-old Hawaii girl who suffered massive brain injuries last month after a dental procedure died late Friday, said an attorney for the child’s family.

Earlier this week, the family of Finley Boyle, 3, filed a lawsuit against dentist Lilly Geyer and Island Dentistry for Children in Honolulu, alleging that the child was given incorrect dosages of sedatives and that the hospital staff was not properly trained for emergencies.

On Dec. 3, Ashley Boyle took her young daughter to Island Dentistry for extensive dental work, which the family states in court documents was recommended by Dr. Geyer.

The planned procedures included four root canals and multiple cavity fillings, according to the documents.

The Boyle family’s attorney L. Richard Fried Jr. said Saturday that the child was given “grossly excessive” amounts of sedatives, went into cardiac arrest and later suffered brain damage.

The family charges that the staff was improperly trained for emergencies and failed to check the patient’s vital signs for 26 minutes.

UPDATE I: From Kenneth L. Zeri, RN, MS, President & Chief Professional Officer of Hospice Hawaii:

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce that at 8:47 p.m. last night, Finley Boyle passed away with her family at her side. The Boyle Family asks that you please respect their privacy during this time of grief and extends a heartfelt mahalo for all of your support and prayers over the past few weeks.

There are few greater privileges in life than to accompany someone on their end-of-life journey, providing comfort and support not only to that person but also to their loved ones. As with all of our patients, we were truly blessed to be able to be there for the The Boyle Family and for Finley at the end of her journey. The family will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers.”

UPDATE II:  Family sues dentist for root canal that left 3-year-old girl brain dead.

Family sues Dr. Lilly Geyer at Island Dentistry for Children in Kailua

Finley Boyle went into cardiac arrest about 26 minutes into a multiple root canal in Kailua.  Now, her parents are suing the dentist.

This nightmare could have been avoided, according to attorney Rick Fried, if Island Dentistry had properly administered and monitored Finley’s drugs and vital signs.

The lawsuit alleges that Finley was given five different sedatives and anesthetics without consideration of how the combination of those drugs would react on the body of a 3-year-old girl.

“It appears most of the work said to be necessary by Dr. Geyer was not necessary.  Secondly, the drugs given were as though given individually,” said Fried.

Fried claims the Island Dentistry staff was not adequately trained for emergencies, and on this day had to run down to the hall to get help from a pediatrician.  Record keeping during the procedure, says the lawsuit, was reduced to two scribbles on slips of paper.

UPDATE III: According to its web site, Island Dentistry is closed permanently.

Hopefully this family will be able to sue this dentistry for millions and also be able to put pressure on law makers to enact laws that change how procedures are done for children. Personally I question how 10 procedures could have been scheduled at one time, including 4 root canals. Also, how one could prescribe so many sedatives and not consistently monitor a child is beyond comprehension.   Not only should Dr. Lilly Geyer be sued for wrongful death, she should never be allowed to practice medicine ever again.

UPDATE IV: Lawsuit alleges that as a further result of administering improper medications, Finley “suffered severe and permanent brain damage.”

VIDEO – CNN

Finley Boyle was given 5 different drugs, including Demerol and other sedatives. Finley Boyle went into cardiac arrest and no one was there to give the child CPR. The staff had to go into another office to get a doctor to perform CPR. Had they provided CPR immediately and so long a period of time did not occur with a lack of oxygen to the brain, the outcome would have been much different. Family attorney shows records, seen below, that Finley was not monitored while sedated and instead of checking her oxygen levels checked every 5 minutes, it was not done for 26 minutes, which is why the brain damage was so severe.

Pic – screen grab, CNN above video