Expert tells Brisbane court that Patel surgery 'inappropriate', led to deaths

Brisbane, Feb.19 (ANI): Colo-rectal expert Brian Collopy told a Brisbane Magistrates Court today that controversial Indian-born surgeon Dr. Jayant Patel fell short of competent medical practice when he wrongly diagnosed and performed an unnecessary operation on a man who later died.

Bundaberg Base Hospital patient Mervyn Morris, 76, died in June 2003 after Dr Patel performed two operations to try to stop bleeding in his bowel.

According to news.com.au, Collopy told the court that the bleeding could have been treated with iron tablets, cortisone and occasional blood transfusions.

He said Dr Patel, 58, incorrectly diagnosed the source of the bleeding and unnecessarily removed part of the colon.

This was an "inappropriate" and "over-aggressive" response, Dr Collopy said.

Dr Patel has been charged with Morris's manslaughter, as well as that of two other patients. He faces another 10 charges relating to his time as director of surgery at the hospital between 2003 and 2005. (ANI)