Solihull breast operation women to be reviewed

Up to 70 women in the West Midlands are to be contacted by a hospital over concerns they may not have had full mastectomies, a hospital has said.

Solihull Hospital has already contacted about 500 women who were treated by surgeon Ian Paterson.

Hospital director Lisa Thomson said a review of breast surgery in 2007 revealed Mr Paterson was not using a "usual procedure".

She said some women may have had tissue remaining after their mastectomies.

Ms Thomson said the external review highlighted Mr Paterson had not followed guidelines to introduce a new technique and his procedure was stopped.

"Some of the women, not all of them, he treated thought they had a full mastectomy but in fact they have tissue remaining," she said.

"He is being investigated and has been excluded from working at the hospital."

All of his patients who underwent mastectomies are being invited to see an alternative surgeon for a review of their treatment, she said.

It is hoped the re-examinations will be completed by March.

The Medical Defence Union, which is acting on behalf of Mr Paterson, said it was unable to comment.