Surgeon suspended in Luxembourg, allegations of unnecessary operations

Robert Schuman Hospitals provisionally suspended a surgeon on Tuesday afternoon after six doctors from the Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg (CHL) accused a colleague of performing unnecessary knee operations.

In a letter addressed to CHL Director General Martine Goergen – seen by RTL – the doctors allege that the surgeon carried out anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction procedures on patients whose ligaments were later found to be intact.

The patients, who may be victims of unnecessary surgery, were subsequently treated at the CHL.

‘We are taking the matter very seriously’

The case dates back to 6 January, when the letter was sent to the CHL management. According to the document, hospital has treated several patients since 2023 who underwent ACL reconstruction surgery despite no rupture being present.

In 15 cases there were “major discrepancies between the patient’s medical history, clinical examination, pre-operative imaging, and the surgical procedure performed.” In ten of these cases, the surgery was deemed unnecessary.

Several patients later required additional surgery because the outcome of the initial procedure was unsatisfactory.

The CEO of the Robert Schuman Hospitals group, Marc Berna, received the letter on 9 January, according to HRS’ communications manager.

“The matter was immediately addressed internally and a formal procedure was initiated,” the hospital’s spokesperson said. “This is an adversarial process in which the doctor concerned must, of course, be heard. The procedure also involves the medical director and the medical board. What is at stake here is patients’ safety. Everyone has the right to be heard, and we are taking this matter very seriously.”

Health Minister informed

The case has also been referred to Minister of Health Martine Deprez. Several elements have been brought to her attention and will be examined in accordance with the legal framework governing the medical profession, she said.

The Health Minsiter is currently looking into the case. © Photo credit: Chris Karaba

The case has also been referred to Minister of Health Martine Deprez. Several elements have been brought to her attention and will be examined in accordance with the legal framework governing the medical profession, she said.

Under the law of 29 April 1983, amended in August 2023, Article 16(2) allows for a suspension of up to three months if it is proven that a doctor’s professional practice could endanger future patients, a situation described in the law as “jeopardy”.

In the case at hand, such a three-month suspension is reportedly being considered to prevent the surgeon from practising medicine, including outside a hospital setting.

According to L’Essentiel, the surgeon is expected to be summoned by the minister on Wednesday morning.

(This article has first been published by Virgule. AI translated, with editing and adaptation by Lucrezia Reale.)