Hyderabad: The Telangana Orthopedic Surgeons Association (TOSA) has come out strongly in support of orthopedic surgeon Dr Chandra Bhushan from Global Hospitals stating that the limb lengthening and reconstruction surgery on 24-year-old Mr Nikhil Reddy was legal and the image of the doctor can’t be tarnished.
The doctor had performed the height-increasing surgery on Mr Reddy, which had upset his parents as they were not aware of it. TOSA pointed out that it was not a “medico-legal” case and that all the procedures in terms of consent and continuous questions about the whereabouts of the parents were put before the patient and the reply was in the negative.
Dr Gopal Reddy, president of the association said, “Hyderabad is a medical hub and cosmetic surgeries can be performed here. If parents are emotionally upset, the doctor’s 30 years’ experience can’t be tarnished.”
However, a few orthopedic surgeons have pointing out certain anomalies about the surgery. Said Dr Reddy, “But that is not correct. These surgeries are routinely performed in cases of accidents, bone tumours and also congenital defects. The hue and cry is because in this case it is being looked at as a cosmetic procedure. But before that the patient’s psychological bent of mind must be considered. Nikhil Reddy had been visiting Dr Bhushan for six months and insisting that his height be increased. Even before signing the consent form he was asked to get his parents and he said they were not in town.”
“But given the Indian mindset, isn’t it important for doctors to take precautions on the moral and social front” Dr Reddy said. “It’s a big lesson for all of us as now we will have to insist on the presence of a relative even in routine and cosmetic surgeries. The conduct of the parents has made it important for us to protect ourselves.”
TOSA said that Dr Bhushan would co-operate with the Telangana Medical Council in the inquiry.
