Williamson v East London & City HA

[1998] Lloyd's Rep Med 06

QUEEN'S BENCH DIVISION

and Mr Justice BUTTERFIELD

Professional liability — Plastic surgery — Breast implant — Bilateral closed breast capsulotomies performed by surgeon K — Resulting leakage of silicone gel from implant into right breast — Whether surgeon K failed to investigate patient's complaint — Subsequent consent by patient to operation of replacement breast prosthesis and right open capsulotomy proposed by surgeon N — Consent form altered to cover bilateral replacement breast prosthesis and right subcutaneous mastectomy — Whether patient informed of change in operation — Evidence by operating team that, at operation, there was no way of avoiding mastectomy due to extensive silicone granulosis — Inadequate operation note — Post-operative pathology report diagnosing silicone granuloma — Whether patient had established that plastic surgeons K and N were negligent