- Seven people involved in the emergency surgery are now under investigation
A neurosurgeon is facing criminal charges after she allowed her teenage daughter to drill into a patient’s skull during surgery.
The doctor, whose identity has not been released, worked at the University Hospital Graz in Austria and reportedly guided her 13-year-old daughter through the procedure step by step in January.
She even went so far as to have her daughter drill into the skull of 33-year-old Gregor R. The man needed emergency surgery after sustaining a head injury in an accident in the woods.
Graz public prosecutor Hansjoerg Bacher confirmed that both the neurosurgeon and a second doctor were quickly released from hospital after the incident.
Bacher also confirmed that the two, along with five others involved in the emergency surgery, are now being evaluated for serious bodily injuries.
The doctor, whose identity has not been released, worked at the University Hospital Graz in Austria (photo)
The neurosurgeon is facing a criminal investigation after she allowed her teenage daughter to drill into a patient’s skull during surgery. Pictured: University Hospital Graz
He said: ‘We are currently still waiting for the final report from the detectives.’
The patient only learned the truth about his surgery when police revealed the details afterward, and he is reportedly still struggling with the aftermath of the accident.
His lawyer, Peter Freiberger, said he plans to take legal action against all involved and seek compensation if necessary.
Freiberger said: ‘The surgery and the drilling were necessary, that is beyond question for us. But the point is that you let a 13-year-old do something like that.’
Freiberger criticized the behavior of the hospital management and pointed out that everyone in the operating room shares responsibility, as they had the opportunity to prevent a 13-year-old from participating in the operation.
He said: ‘There was no contact, no explanation or apology, nothing. That is just unworthy.’
The hospital noted: ‘No contact was made because the patient became involved in the criminal proceedings as a private party and is therefore a party to the criminal proceedings.
“The operation was without complications. Finally, we would like to say that we deeply regret the incident and that we are committed to fully clarifying the matter.”
Graz Public Prosecutor Hansjoerg Bacher confirmed that both the neurosurgeon and a second doctor were quickly released from the hospital. Image shows Graz, Austria