Man Sues Over Genital Amputation

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

Man Sues Over Genital Amputation
A Kentucky man says surgeons removed his penis after he went in for a circumcision.
By BRETT BARROUQUERE
Associated Press Writer
Sept. 25, 2008

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - A Kentucky man who claims his penis was removed without his consent during what was supposed to be a circumcision has sued the doctor who performed the surgery.

Phillip Seaton, 61, and his wife are seeking unspecified compensation from Dr. John M. Patterson and the medical practice that performed the circumcision for "loss of service, love and affection." The Seatons also are seeking unspecified punitive damages from Patterson and the medical practice, Commonwealth Urology.

A woman who answered the phone at Commonwealth Urology would not take a message for the doctor Thursday. But the Seaton's attorney said the doctor's post-surgical notes show the doctor thought he detected cancer and removed the penis. Attorney Kevin George said a later test did detect cancer.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Sex/story?id=5886306&page=1

[tekisui]

1. Saved his life without permission, just charged him a penis.

You don't cut someone's body parts off without permission. jeebus.

[WarbirdForObama]

2. Ah

OMG!

[Tallison]

3. Consent forms usually provide surgeons latitude

to deviate from procedures in the event they make unexpected discoveries - in this case cancer. Yet it's unusual for them to exercise it in absence of an acute threat, which sounds unlikely since this was an elective procedure.

Perhaps there was a blood clot and some necrotic internal tissue present? I doubt he took the whole thing off, although I've heard of cases in which penal cancer has necessitated this... :shrug:

[primavera]

10. True, but I think it generally has to be imminently life-threatening

If the condition is such that it can wait until the patient recovers and has the opportunity to consent to the additional procedure, I think the physician would be considered liable for having exceeded the patient's consent.

[varkam]

4. Operation is a battery.

What makes it okay, however, is consent. In essence, the patient says that "You can go ahead and batter me up to and including these limits." Doesn't sound to me like the patient consented to the snip.

[chicagomd]

7. The case will rest on this.

If the patient consented to more than just a circ if the physician thought it was necessary then the doctor will be in the clear.

If the patient was only consented for a circumcision, however...

[VeraAgnes]

5. OuuuH..........OUCH!

:scared:

[Orrex]

6. Circumcision at 61?

I wonder if some other condition was evident that made him go for circumcision so comparatively late in life. Might that incline the surgeon to take preemptive steps, if he spotted trouble during the operation?

[question everything]

8. This was my first reaction, too

I think there is a lot more to the story than the sensational headline..

[FM Arouet666]

9. I would have aborted the procedure and discussed it with him.

This kind of thing comes up not that infrequently. I am a surgeon, not a urologist, and you have to sometimes make these decisions at the time of surgery. I have taken part of the colon out for an appendectomy because I found a cancerous tumor in the appendix that was unexpected. The surgical consent will generally cover such actions.

However, common sense should tell you that a patient with whom you have not had a discussion about cancer or penis amputation might be a bit upset upon waking up to find himself missing more than his foreskin.

A patient might get angry at having to go under general anesthesia again, but you probably will never get sued because you aborted a procedure to get the patients consent.

And the argument that he would have to have it amputated anyway is just not valid. Recall, Bob Marley who died of metastatic melanoma after he refused to have his toe amputated because it violated his religion. "Rasta no abide amputation. I don't allow a man to be dismantled." I may not agree with his decision, but the decision is not mine to make.