Surgeon 'botched' breast ops

A surgeon botched breast operations leaving patients with horrific wounds, scarring and potentially-deadly infections, it was claimed.

Brian Gwynn, aged 54, who works at Staffordshire General Hospital and Rowley Hall Hospital, Stafford, is accused of leaving some women with gaping holes in their breasts. One is said to have been struck by a flesh-eating bug, while others caught MRSA.

A General Medical Council practice panel hearing was told in Manchester yesterday that one woman complained she felt "like a freak, totally butchered."

Mr Gwynn had been suspended from carrying out breast surgery as a precaution in November 2005.

It is alleged that six women who underwent surgery to remove lumps or have the size of their breasts reduced had been left disfigured and in pain.

Among them was 43-year-old Tracy Todd, a Cannock mother-of-three who paid £3,000 for breast reduction by Mr Gwynn at Rowley Hall Hospital in 2002.

Although the procedure led to her developing serious wounds he assured her the injuries would heal naturally.

Mr Tom Kark, for the GMC, said Mrs Todd was diagnosed later with potentially-deadly flesh-eating bugs and went to see another surgeon who called her injuries "some of the worst he'd seen."

She later wrote in complaint: "I feel like a freak, totally butchered because of the negligence of Mr Gwynn."

Her case was settled for a substantial sum. Five other women who were operated on by Mr Gwynn in Stafford were also victims of his incompetence, the panel was told. The GMC has imposed interim orders barring Mr Gwynn from breast surgery.

The panel yesterday rejected Mr Gwynn's legal team's attempt to have a further five cases thrown out on the basis they dated back too far, but they are not being considered at this stage. He denies misconduct and deficient professional performance.

The hearing continues and is expected to run until December 7.