Surgery by “Dr. Death” Jayant Patel led to patient’s death, court told
By ANIFriday, March 26, 2010
Brisbane, Mar. 26 (ANI): A surgery carried out by former Indian-origin surgeon Dr. Jayant Patel a.k.a. “Dr. Death” triggered a chain of events that eventually led to a patient’s death, the Brisbane Supreme Court has been told.
News.co.au quoted Dr. Patel’s assistant, Dr Emma Igras, as saying that three weeks after Dr. Patel removed part of Mervyn John Morris’s colon without proper investigation, the 75-year-old patient died in 2003.
The Supreme Court was also shown Morris’ certificate of death, which was completed by Dr Igras.
The certificate reveals the cause of death as respiratory failure brought on by liver problems and poor nutrition.
These eventually fatal health issues were noted on the certificate as being a consequence of the colectomy performed by Dr Patel on May 23.
Morris was returned to operation theatre seven days after the colectomy to repair a burst wound.
Dr Igras told the court that Morris’ condition initially seemed to improve following the second operation, despite some rectal bleeding.
However, Morris’ health then deteriorated until he died on June 14.
The evidences were given as part of Dr Patel’s ongoing trial for the manslaughter of Morris over allegations that the operation was “unnecessary”.
Earlier, Dr Patel has pleaded not guilty to Morris’ manslaughter, as well as the manslaughter of two other patients, and the grievous bodily harm of another man.
The charges relate to Dr Patel’s time as director of surgery at the Bundaberg Base Hospital between 2003 and 2005.
The trial continues. (ANI)
