After 37 failed operations, a proctology surgeon indicted

He was a surgeon they probably would have wanted to avoid. Around fifty people suffer serious after-effects after operations carried out by a proctologist at a polyclinic in Besançon. To date, out of the fifty complaints that have been filed (the facts occurring before June 2008 being time-barred), only 37 people, whose lives became “hell” after failed hemorrhoid operations, have had their complaints upheld. by the investigating magistrate. The victims are aged between 27 and 70.

The practitioner was finally indicted on September 24 for “unintentional injuries resulting in less than three months of temporary interruption of work, aggravated by the clearly deliberate violation of an obligation of safety or prudence,” Etienne Manteaux said on Tuesday. , the public prosecutor, while the patrician disputes any responsibility. Placed under judicial supervision with a ban on performing surgical procedures, he faces one year of imprisonment.

“Miracle operations” for hemorrhoids?

Aged 56, he worked in a private clinic in the city. He performed proctology operations. The doctor “promised miracle operations” for hemorrhoids, “without warning his patients of the risks”. They “discovered after the fact that they had, for example, severe incontinence,” explains the prosecutor. “Their daily lives have been greatly impacted, everyone says that it has become hell. Some find themselves seriously incontinent at the age of 30 or 40, left by their spouse, having to wear diapers,” according to the magistrate. “These are patients who, once operated on, cower in their distress. They started talking to each other and realized that, contrary to what the practitioner assured them, they were not alone. »

“He considers himself to be a very good proctologist”

It ceased its activity in June, when patient testimonies were published in Republican Eastbefore resuming it in September. The proctologist appealed his indictment, as well as his placement under judicial supervision. “He considers that he is a very good proctologist and that these after-effects are a therapeutic hazard,” said Etienne Manteaux, emphasizing the “serial aspect” of the facts alleged against the doctor who “continued to operate in the same way, despite patient alerts”.

Among the 37 plaintiffs, three had already taken action before a civil court. The expert opinions rendered in this context reveal a serious lack of information for patients on the surgical risks and problems in the surgical procedure. They also note that there are few reconstructive surgeries for these victims.

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