Indian-American doctor Jayant Patel, accused of manslaughter in Australia, was not directly responsible for the death of a patient at the Bundaberg Base hospital, an expert surgeon told a court here Tuesday.
Glyn Jamieson from University of Adelaide department of surgery, who was cross-examined by Patel's defence counsel Michael Byrne QC in the Supreme Court in Brisbane, said that the 60-year-old doctor wasn't directly responsible for the death of James Phillips.
Phillips, 46, died after undergoing surgery by Patel in May 2003 to remove a three millimetre cancer from his oesophagus.
Jamieson, who has performed up to 700 oesophagectomies, said Phillips didn't die as a direct result of the surgery.
Earlier, the court heard that Phillips died from high levels of potassium because of his long-standing kidney problems, and levels in his blood couldn't be read properly because a central venous line, or tube, wasn't inserted correctly by Patel.
Jamieson said it was "accurate" to say Phillips' death could have been prevented if appropriate, effective measures were made to lower potassium levels.
"I'm happy to call it an indirect result of the operation," Jamieson said.
Jamieson took back evidence he gave in a written statement in July 2006 for the Patel committal hearing, in which he said the operation was performed "competently" and in an "acceptable" fashion.
Jamieson agreed that he had earlier said from examining the written records it appeared Patel had done the actual surgery competently.
He said when he made that statement he was unaware that there were
allegations Phillips' oesophagus was torn and was
incorrectly removed in two parts.
"If that occurred... I think I might modify that opinion," he said.
Patel, dubbed as 'Dr Death', was allegedly responsible for the deaths of three patients and left a man impaired after performing a "careless" surgery on him.
Patel has pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter of Phillips as well Mervyn Morris and Gerardus Kemps.
The charges relate to his time as director of surgery at the hospital between 2003 and 2005.
The trial continues Wednesday.