British surgeon dismissed after mistakenly joining stomach to intestine, causing severe blockage

A British colorectal surgeon, Dr. Abdel Rahman, was terminated after a surgery in which he and another doctor attempted a novel link between the stomach and small intestine but mistakenly connected the wrong intestinal segment, forming a closed loop that blocked the patient’s bowel. The patient suffered escalating abdominal pain, vomiting and an absence of bowel movements for weeks, yet the surgeon told the patient and relatives that signs indicated normal function would resume.

Following complaints from the family, Dr. Anthony Rate took over care, performed a second operation and established a stoma to allow waste to exit the body. Former consultant surgeon Anthony Blower testified that the original procedure was bizarre, extremely difficult given the patient’s large tumor, and not compatible with life, stating the patient would have died without the subsequent intervention. The tribunal concluded Rahman offered no remorse, empathy or apology, leading to his removal from the hospital’s staff list and an immediate suspension pending any appeal.