Dr. Death’s claim that dead patient’s bowel was cancerous not true, says pathologist
March 30th, 2010 - 1:38 pm ICT by ANIBrisbane (Australia), Mar.30 (ANI): A pathologist has told the Brisbane Supreme Court that a section of a bowel removed from a patient by Indian-born surgeon Dr. Jayant Patel failed to reveal any sign of cancer or a reason for his rectal bleeding.
Giving evidence today, Dr. Vasanthamala Varmin said she examined Mervyn John Morris’s sigmoid colon after its removal by Patel at the Bundaberg Base Hospital on May 23, 2003.
She said analysis of the tissue revealed no malignant growths, and no bleeding site.
“If there had been bleeding would you have noticed it?’ prosecutor David Meredith asked.
“Yes, yes, we would have,’ the Daily Telegraph quoted Dr Varmin, as saying.
Under cross-examination, defence barrister Michael Byrne, QC, asked if the fact the colon had been stored in formalin and transported to Brisbane would have washed away any signs of blood.
Dr. Varmin said it would not have.
The crown is alleging Patel failed to properly investigate the cause of rectal bleeding and that the removal of part of Mr Morris’ colon was “unnecessary’.
Morris, 75, died at Bundaberg Base Hospital on June 14, 2003.
Patel has pleaded not guilty to Mr Morris’ manslaughter, as well as the manslaughter of two other patients, and the grievous bodily harm of another man.
The charges relate to Patel’s time as director of surgery at the Bundaberg Base Hospital between 2003 and 2005. (ANI)
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- India-born doctor 'failed to investigate' cancer concerns - Mar 24, 2010
- Patient's bowel was "poking out" after surgery by "Dr. Death", Brisbane SC told - Mar 25, 2010
- "Dr. Death" Jayant Patel removed patient's colon without proper investigation, court told - Mar 24, 2010
- Expert tells Brisbane court that Patel surgery ''inappropriate'', led to deaths - Feb 19, 2009
- 'Dr Death' Jayant Patel's lawyers lodge appeal in manslaughter case - Jul 15, 2010
- 'Dr. Death' Patel was competent for oesophagectomy operations: Defence counsel - Jun 21, 2010
- Brisbane SC to hear Justice John before deciding on Dr. Death's fate - Jun 22, 2010
- Jury deliberates for fifth day on Patel manslaughter trial - Jun 27, 2010
- Indian-origin doctor guilty of manslaughter in Australia - Jun 29, 2010
- India-born doctor caused three deaths, Australian court told - Mar 22, 2010
- 'Dr. Death' Jayant Patel moved to new jail in Brisbane - Jul 05, 2010
- "Dr. Death" Jayant Patel lacked experience for major surgery: Brisbane SC told - Mar 23, 2010
- "Dr. Death" Jayant Patel faced disciplinary action in US in 2000: Brisbane SC told - Mar 23, 2010
- Indian-origin doctor called his hospital third world country - May 11, 2010
Tags: brisbane australia, bundaberg base hospital, cross examination, daily telegraph, david meredith, dr death, dr jayant patel, formalin, grievous bodily harm, june 14, malignant growths, manslaughter, mervyn, michael byrne, pathologist, prosecutor, qc, rectal bleeding, sigmoid colon, supreme court