Jailed surgeon removed breast tissue, inquest told

Jailed surgeon Ian Paterson has told an inquest into the death of one his patients that he completely removed all the breast tissue at her first mastectomy.

Solihull patient Christine Baker died in 2015, aged 59, after her cancer returned following surgery by the medic, currently serving a prison sentence for multiple instances of wounding linked to operations.

Her inquest is the third of 62 to be heard into the deaths of Paterson’s patients, with the latest proceedings focusing on so-called cleavage-sparing mastectomies and the extent to which any leftover breast tissue may have led to cancer’s return.

Giving evidence at the hearing in Birmingham, Paterson said her tumour was removed.

The inquiry previously heard Mrs Baker went on to have a second mastectomy after her cancer returned two years after the procedure.

Paterson was employed by the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust in Birmingham and practised in the independent sector at Spire Parkway in Solihull and Spire Little Aston near Sutton Coldfield.

The hearing has also been told Mrs Baker, a Birmingham secondary school teacher who was born in Stoke-on-Trent and lived in Solihull, had a “skin-sparing” mastectomy in 2005, after being advised there was no additional risk to the reconstructive part of the procedure.

Asked on Thursday whether he intended to carry out a cleavage-sparing mastectomy on Mrs Baker, Paterson replied: “It’s nonsense to suggest that anyone having immediate reconstruction would require any residual tissue or former cleavage. That tissue is going to be provided by reconstruction or an implant.”

Then asked whether it was his intention to remove all the breast tissue, Paterson replied “yes”.

The inquest heard 209g of tissue was removed which a multi-displinary team considered to be “a small amount” for someone with a 34B-cup breast, which would normally weigh 350g.

Paterson said: “The weight is the weight. Whether it’s too light or too heavy isn’t going to change the fact that the operation is complete.”

He added: “The weight is the weight and entirely commensurate with the removal of all the tissue.”

The hearing was shown a pathology report which said the tumour reached the excision margin, with Paterson asked: “Does it indicate the tumour hadn’t been completely removed?”

He replied: “No.”

Paterson is serving a 20-year jail term for wounding.

The inquest continues.