Woman died after back operation

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A woman died after a routine back operation performed by a London surgeon who was previously banned from carrying out spinal surgery, an inquest heard.

Satwant Vohra, 55, from Welwyn, Hertfordshire, died after her aorta ruptured following surgery by Chinh Nguyenon on a damaged disc in her back.

Mr Nguyen was previously banned from performing spinal surgery after concerns over five earlier operations.

He is currently in prison for money laundering, the Hornsey inquest heard.

Condition deteriorated

Mr Nguyen was stopped from performing open spinal surgery from May 2007 until May 2008 after concerns were raised over five cases, including one in which a patient nearly died, the inquest heard.

He was only permitted to restart following a period of retraining.

Mr Nguyen operated on postmistress Mrs Vohra at the private Garden Hospital in Hendon, north London, in December last year.

Hours later her condition began to deteriorate, the inquest heard.

She was taken to the NHS-run Whittington Hospital where another surgeon, Alan Wilson, performed a second, emergency, operation. But Mrs Vohra died after he was unable to stem the bleeding.

Representing her family, Dr Peter Ellis asked Mr Nguyen what had caused the relapse.

Mr Nguyen replied: "Mr Wilson thought there had been some injury caused to the aorta."

Although this type of injury is rare they have happened before Chinh Nguyenon, surgeon

Asked how the injury had occurred, Mr Nguyen said: "Probably as a result of my surgery."

Mr Nguyen said he had warned Mrs Vohra's family of the risks associated with her operation.

"Although this type of injury is rare they have happened before and are reported in the literature," he said.

An elderly patient of Mr Nguyen nearly died in similar circumstances, the inquest heard.

Referring to that case, Mr Nguyen said: "Mr Wilson came to the rescue that time."

The inquest heard that Mr Nguyen had failed to inform the General Medical Council when he was facing criminal charges for money laundering.

Asked by Dr Ellis if he had been fit to operate at the time, Mr Nguyen replied: "I did not consider myself under strain because I'm innocent."

Mr Nguyen said he was appealing against his money laundering conviction.

The inquest continues.