Great Ormond Street surgeon ‘left teenager in constant pain'
A teenager operated on by a Great Ormond Street Hospital surgeon has said he is living in 'constant pain'.
Finias Sandu, 15, who was born with a condition that causes curved bones in the legs, underwent a reconstructive operation when he was seven to lengthen his left leg by 3.5cm.
A few years later, he had the same procedure, which involved him wearing a heavy metal frame for months, on his right leg.
Yaser Jabbar, who carried out the operation and who no longer works at the children's hospital, is now at the centre of an investigation reviewing the care given to more than 700 of his patients, which allegedly left some suffering 'severe harm'.
Finias has now been told by independent reviewers that the procedures on his legs were 'unacceptable' and 'inappropriate' for his age, Sky News reported.
Concerns have also been raised over a lack of imaging being taken prior to the operations.
Pain 'is a companion to me'
Hudgell Solicitors, who represent the Sandu family, said the experts had concluded he suffered 'moderate harm' as a result of the treatment he had received.
'The pain is there every day, every day I'm continuously in pain,' the teenager told Sky News.
'It's not something really sharp, although it does get to a certain point where it hurts quite a lot, but it's always there. It just doesn't leave, it's a companion to me, just always there.'
Mr Jabbar, who worked at the London hospital between 2017 and 2022, is reported to be an expert in limb reconstruction, but has not had a licence to practise medicine in the UK since January, according to the General Medical Council's website.
The Royal College of Surgeons carried out a review of Great Ormond Street's paediatric orthopaedic service after concerns were raised by patients' families and staff.
As part of its review, the RCS raised concerns about a former surgeon and other practices within the service.
Great Ormond Street has asked a group of independent paediatric orthopaedic consultants from other UK hospitals to carry out a review of the care of patients treated by Mr Jabbar. Some, including Finias, have required corrective surgery. By the end of last month 416 patients had been reviewed, a Great Ormond Street spokesman said.
'Trusting somebody is hard to do, knowing what they have done to me physically and emotionally, you know, it's just too much to comprehend for me,' Finias said.
'We just went by what the doctor said'
'It wasn't something just physically, like my leg pain and everything else. It was emotionally, because I put my trust in that specific doctor. My parents and I don't really understand the more scientific terms, we just went by what he said.'
Finias and his family moved to their native Romania soon after the reconstructive frame was removed from his right leg in 2021.
He is receiving therapy and mental health support as he prepares for corrective surgery later in the year.
A spokesman for Great Ormond Street Hospital said: 'We are deeply sorry to Finias and his family, and all the patients and families who have been impacted.
'We want every patient and family who comes to our hospital to feel safe and cared for.
'We will always discuss concerns families may have and, where they submit claims, we will work to ensure the legal process can be resolved as quickly as possible.'
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