Breast surgeon 'butchered' woman

A surgeon "butchered" one patient and botched several breast operations, The General Medical Council (GMC) was told.

Brian Gwynn, 54, was appearing before the GMC accused of misconduct and deficient professional performance at Staffordshire General Hospital.

The disciplinary hearing was read a letter written by a woman who said she was left with "horrible scarring which has had a huge psychological effect."

Mr Gwynn denies the charges. The hearing in Manchester continues.

Tom Kark counsel for the GMC said the woman had written the letter in 2003 two years after undergoing breast reconstructive surgery when she was aged 41.

'Hole in stomach'

The woman, referred to as MC, died later from an unrelated cancer.

She wrote: "I feel I have been butchered and the outcome should have been better."

The panel heard that Mr Gwynn's surgery had left a hole in her stomach, which caused her great pain and needed further treatment.

The letter continued: "I was concerned about the wound on my tummy opening up but he said not to worry about it.

"The hole in my stomach got bigger and I could hardly walk."

"Before the operation I thought I was dying because I was so unwell. The room went black."

The Fitness to Practice panel heard one incident in particular had angered the patient.

She wrote: "Mr Gwynn came on a round with a few of his juniors. He said: "Is that good or good? Am I a good plastic surgeon or what? That made me very angry."