A pensioner operated on by a surgeon who branded his initials onto the livers of two patients says he hopes he signed his too.
Antique shop owner Jeff Hughes, 70, had two liver section operations carried out by disgraced transplant surgeon Simon Bramhall in 2010 and 2012.
Last week, Bramhall, 53, admitted using argon gas – for sealing vessels onto organs – to sear the letters ‘SB’ on two livers on two separate occasions in 2013.
Antique shop owner Jeff Hughes (left), 70, had two liver section operations carried out by disgraced transplant surgeon Simon Bramhall (right) in 2010 and 2012. Last week, Bramhall, 53, admitted using argon gas to sear ‘SB’ on two livers on two separate occasions in 2013
A court heard how his bizarre actions were witnessed by other theatre staff at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Mr Hughes, who was diagnosed with bowel and liver cancer in 2009, came to Bramhall’s defence, saying he wished the surgeon had branded him.
The pensioner, of Worcester, said: ‘When I heard the news [about Bramhall’s guilty plea], my very first words to my wife were, “I hope he signed mine”.
A court heard how Bramhall’s bizarre actions were witnessed by other theatre staff at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital (pictured)
‘I feel privileged he did what he did. When I went into hospital, Mr Bramhall explained what was going to happen and he was there when I woke up,’ said Mr Hughes
‘I feel privileged he did what he did. When I went into hospital, Mr Bramhall explained what was going to happen and he was there when I woke up.
‘He saved my life. It wouldn’t bother me, in my opinion – my life has been saved.
‘Don’t get me wrong – I wouldn’t mind at all – perhaps if it was on my head. Obviously, he is the top in his field.
‘I was told I would not survive.
‘I was told by a doctor I was going to die. I am a success story.
‘I am fine now. They saved my life.
‘I was told I wouldn’t have survived so I hold these two people in my highest regards.
‘At the time, these were very new operations.
‘These people, I have nothing but respect for them.’
Bramhall, of Redditch, Worcestershire, admitted to two assaults by beating and will be sentenced next month.