A surgeon has acknowledged to performing botched procedures on two patients, resulting in “life-changing” damage.
A trial heard that Dr. Camilo Valero, estimated to be in his forties, severed the bile ducts of his victims while extracting their gallbladders.
Both Lucy Wilson, age 35, and Paul Tooth, age 65, were in need of corrective surgery. The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service is now evaluating Dr. Valero’s employment eligibility.
Mrs. Wilson visited the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital in 2020 for a regular gallbladder removal. Dr. Valero, according to Bob Sastry of the General Medical Council, misunderstood anatomy.
Doctor Camilo Valero, who reportedly botched three gallbladder operations in five days, is now the subject of a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service fitness to practice hearing.
The Manchester tribunal heard that she was transported to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge for an 11-hour corrective operation, but she has continued to experience difficulties. She stated in an interview in 2021 that she was receiving treatment for PTSD.
The doctor’s representative, Charles Foster, apologized on his behalf. Mr. Tooth sustained ‘avoidable’ injuries due to’similar failures’ days after Mrs. Wilson, according to Mr. Sastry. In the future, he will require reconstructive surgery and a liver transplant.
After a 2021 interim tribunal, Dr. Valero, who was trained in Colombia and faces a total of eight counts, is still permitted to do gallbladder surgery under supervision.
The Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has accepted responsibility for both failures. The proceeding continues.