U.K. Surgeon Under Investigation for Botched Surgeries
Overview of Malpractice Cases
A recent investigation has uncovered alarming malpractice by orthopedic surgeon Mian Munawar Shah, who reportedly performed flawed operations on almost 100 patients in the U.K. This has resulted in long-lasting pain and disability for many, even following several corrective procedures. A significant number of these cases were misdiagnosed as neurological disorders, potentially obscuring the root cause stemming from surgical errors.
Background on the Surgeon
Mian Munawar Shah, operating out of West Midlands, England, faced suspension in 2021 after the occurrence of a wrong-site surgery—a designation cited as a “Never Event.” A comprehensive report reviewed his surgical activities with the NHS, covering the period from 2010 to 2020, revealing that 91 out of 382 patients experienced “moderate to severe harm” due to his procedures.
Nature of the Surgical Errors
Particularly concerning were the hand and wrist surgeries, where over half of the patients were subjected to incorrect operations. Examples include situations where surgeons mistakenly removed the wrong bone or executed improper fusions. In one grave instance, a patient underwent four corrective surgeries yet continued to suffer from chronic pain and disability.
Misdiagnosis and Patient Impact
The report highlighted additional issues, notably the misdiagnosis of patients’ pain as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), which complicated the identification of surgical errors as the underlying problem. CRPS is a condition characterized by chronic pain often triggered by injuries or surgeries, leading to discomfort that surpasses the expectation based on the original event. Furthermore, Shah was criticized for attempting complex upper limb procedures without sufficient competence.
Institutional Response
In response to the situation, Joanne Chadwick-Bell, Chief Executive of Walsall NHS Trust, publicly apologized to the affected patients. She acknowledged the distress caused and affirmed that systems have been implemented to prevent such incidents in the future. “I want to unreservedly apologize for the 91 patients who have undergone treatment with us, where we haven’t given them the outcomes we expect,” she stated. Bell also highlighted the introduction of additional checks for surgeons undertaking new procedures to ensure competency.