Brisbane apex court told that Dr. Death ‘tore patient’s oesophagus’

BRISBANE - The Supreme Court in Brisbane was told on Wednesday that Indian-born surgeon Dr. Jayant Patel, who is facing manslaughter charges, accidentally tore a patient’s oesophagus and nicked his jugular vein while performing a major operation at the Bundaberg Hospital.

Dr Emma Igras told the court that she noted on James Edward Phillips’ hospital chart that the oesophagus was “inadvertently torn” during the procedure at Bundaberg Base Hospital in May 2003.

The court was told yesterday Patel also cut 46-year-old Phillips’ jugular vein, causing blood loss that required four bags of intravenous fluids.

Dr Igras, who assisted Patel during the operation, said the torn oesophagus was “not part of the planned operation” to remove part of Phillips’ oesophagus.

However, according to The Age and ABC News, she said she could not comment on whether it affected the outcome of the procedure.

Dr. Igras agreed that the oesophagus is a delicate organ, but said that her “extremely limited” experience with oesophagectomies precluded her from saying whether it was common for them to be torn during these procedures.

Patel, 60, has pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter of Phillips, who died two days after the operation.

He has also pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter of two other patients, and the grievous bodily harm of another man.

The charges relate to his time as director of surgery at the Bundaberg Base Hospital between 2003 and 2005.

The trial continues. (ANI)