Grieving Howard Denby, 57, collected the cremated remains of his wife Carole. But he was stunned to be handed what he believes is a two-inch titanium surgical screw.
Howard said yesterday the discovery proves Carole was right all along. Carole, who was 63, was always convinced that surgeons failed to remove a screw after a series of failed operations on her broken ankle.
But Carole’s medical notes state: “There is no evidence of any significant residual metal within the field of surgery.”
Businessman Howard blames the titanium screw for causing his wife’s ill health in the eight years after her operation.
He also believes it led to her suspected overdose of prescription tablets.
Now he has given the screw to police, who are investigating Carole’s death for a coroner.
He said yesterday: “Carole was adamant there was some metal left over but the doctors wouldn’t listen.
“Being given the screw after her cremation was devastating.
"It means she was right all along and all her misery was ignored.
“It broke my heart to see her fears and pain dismissed.
It broke my heart to see her fears and pain dismissed
"Now I’m planning to present the screw as evidence at the inquest into Carole’s death.”
Dog-lover Carole had her ankle pinned together by surgeons after she broke it while walking in the countryside with Howard.
But the operation did not work and she reacted badly to the metal screws and bolts holding her ankle together.
Surgeons at Morriston Hospital in Swansea operated again and assured the couple all the metal had been removed from her ankle. Grieving Howard, of Pontyates, near Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, now alleges they were lied to.
He said: “This screw explains why she continued to develop infections in her blood and swellings in her left ankle.
"She went from this vivacious professional woman to a shell of her former self.
“The health board repeatedly denied any screws had been left behind and did everything to avoid looking for them.
"But that is why Carole did what she did.
“She felt her quality of life would never get better if the doctors couldn’t find the screw.”
Hywel Dda University Health Board said a review had been carried out on the care given to Carole.
A spokesman said “The board will fully co-operate with HM Coroner.”
An inquest has been opened and adjourned until toxicology tests are completed.