Surgeon removes patient’s testicle ‘by mistake’
A surgeon is being investigated for medical negligence after he was found to have removed a patient’s testicle by mistake.
The surgeon was operating to remove a cyst on the man’s right testis, but instead ended up taking out the whole testicle.
The doctor, who worked at Fairfield General Hospital in Greater Manchester between September 2005 and June 2008, is also accused of misconduct and theft of medication.
It’s believed that he injected himself with a drug meant for the patient during the procedure in September 2007.
Reports suggest that the doctor, who is now practicing in Jordan, acted ‘surprised’ after realising that the testicle had been removed.
Sarah Prichard, counsel for the GMC, told the court that the professional negligence incident happened when the nurse, helping the surgeon, turned her back to pick up a stitch.
Ms Prichard added: “Such was the level of concern they immediately realised it could be a serious medical incident and took steps to complete the relevant documentation.”
The doctor is also accused of injecting himself with two milligrams of the sedative midazolam, that was meant for a patient in August 2006.
His employer – Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust – is likely to face a compensation claim from the patient in relation to the surgical error.
Updated on 21/04/2010