Netflix fans have expressed their amazement at the 'mind-boggling' story told by one of the streaming platform's new documentary series.
Bad Surgeon: Love Under the Knife describes how famous surgeon Dr. Paolo Macchiarini, considered a pioneer of regenerative medicine, became infamous for scientific misconduct in the 2010s.
Seven of the eight recipients of his synthetic trachea transplants died, leading to accusations of unethically performed experimental surgeries.
This involved making a trachea from plastic and then covering it with the patient's own stem cells.
In addition, Macchiarini met and became engaged to the indisputable journalist and TV producer Benita Alexander, who admits in the show's trailer that she was “engaged to a monster.”
'Baffling': Netflix fans have expressed their amazement at the platform's new docuseries Bad Surgeon: Love Under the Knife, a series about Dr. Paolo Macchiarini (pictured), who became infamous for scientific misconduct in the 2010s
Hoodwinked: The show focuses on his relationship with journalist and TV producer Benita Alexander (above), who was duped into believing her husband-to-be had a high-flying clientele as a pioneering surgeon
Tragic: At the same time, the series tells the story of how seven of Macciarini's eight patients who received a synthetic trachea transplant died
One viewer commented on the three-part series' unique story, saying it left them 'stunned'.
Another added on X: 'Watching The bad Surgery on Netflix leaves me completely baffled.'
Alexander also admitted that she was misled by her fiancé's claims that he had famous friends and clients.
Macchiarini claimed to perform surgeries for the Clintons and Obamas, and also said he would get Elton John, John Legend and Vladimir Putin at their wedding.
However, the expectant wife eventually became suspicious when her partner claimed that Pope Francis would be present to officiate the ceremony – which would take place in Rome at a time when the Pope was touring South America.
In fact, she was so suspicious that she hired a private investigator to help her get to the bottom of her partner's claims.
She discovered that Macchiarini was actually a man of more modest means than he had let on, still married to his wife for thirty years and living in Barcelona “with a second wife and two young children.”
These revelations have all contributed to the 'crazy' retelling of the story on the streaming giant.
Another viewer said: 'Shocking, extraordinary documentary on Netflix. Horrible, disturbing and breathtaking.
'Watch. Don't ask why. Just look.'
Amazingly, the surgeon also struck up a relationship with the mother of one of his deceased patients – Ana Bernardes – even as she sued the hospital after her son's death.
Incredibly, Alexander eventually became suspicious when her partner claimed Pope Francis would be present to officiate the ceremony – which was due to take place in Rome at a time when the Pope was touring South America
Alexander eventually became suspicious when her partner claimed that Pope Francis would be there to solemnize their wedding – which would take place in Rome at a time when the Pope was touring South America.
Alexander eventually became suspicious when her partner claimed Pope Francis would be there to officiate the ceremony, which would take place in Rome at a time when the Pope was touring South America.
'Horrifying': Viewers have expressed their surprise at the unique 'crazy' story
In 2014, doctors at the Karolinska Institute, where he had been a visiting professor, accused him of scientific misconduct when it emerged that tragically all but one of the patients who had received his tissue-engineered airways had died.
Macchiarini was found guilty of research fraud for misrepresenting data and exaggerating the effectiveness of his technique.
Described in the series as 'an absolute fraud' who 'treated people like human laboratory rats', he was given a 16-month prison sentence in Italy, where he had operated on some patients.
The disgraced surgeon was later found guilty by a Swedish court of causing bodily harm while performing the experimental procedure on a patient, and was given a two-year suspended sentence.
Benita recently reflected on the relationship after throwing her engagement ring into the Hudson River when she had it appraised and discovered it actually only cost $1,000.
She told me New York Post: 'It's embarrassing, but I was taken care of by Paolo. Like his patients – many of whom eventually died – I was seduced by a false promise.”