Surgeon in Hot Water After Operating on a 6-Year-Old Multiple Times Even Though Her Leg ‘Couldn’t Be Saved’

The father of a six-year-old girl, Bunty Stalham, has spoken out after being informed that his daughter suffered harm under the care of former surgeon Dr. Yaser Jabbar. Bunty, who was born with the rare bone condition neurofibromatosis, underwent multiple unsuccessful surgeries over 15 months, which ultimately led to the amputation of her leg below the knee.

Bunty’s father, Dean Stalham, revealed that his daughter had been in and out of hospitals since she was 18 months old, and in 2018, she came under the care of Dr. Jabbar at Great Ormond Street Hospital. However, the procedures performed by Dr. Jabbar were described by the family as “unsuccessful and painful.”

The review of Bunty’s case, seen by Sky News, confirmed that she suffered moderate physical harm and mild psychological harm as a result of her treatment. Dean Stalham expressed his frustration, stating, “He [Dr. Jabbar] was trying to save a leg that couldn’t be saved. He took it upon himself to be the almighty savior of the leg, as it were, and it proves that they were all unnecessary because they all failed – and what it says in the report is that there’s no benefit, not one operation was of any benefit to Bunty whatsoever.”

Despite the repeated surgeries, Bunty’s leg was amputated in 2022. Her father believes the amputation should have happened sooner, sparing her the prolonged pain she endured. “He was all smiles and success – coming in and saying I’ve lengthened her leg, it’s great, it’s longer than the other one, it was all a big major success and then out of the blue – actually no, it hasn’t worked,” Mr. Stalham recounted.

Bunty, who believed her leg would heal and grow back, was devastated by the eventual outcome. “We think that she thought her leg was going to grow back, in her head, because she was told it was a healthy bone… he sold her a dream,” her father explained.

Dr. Jabbar, who no longer works at Great Ormond Street and has not been licensed to practice in the UK since January, left a piece of bone after Bunty’s amputation, claiming it would help with her mobility. However, within weeks, the bone shifted, worsening the situation.

An external report commissioned by Great Ormond Street is set to be shared with families affected by Dr. Jabbar’s care, although parts of it will be redacted. Caroline Murgatroyd from Hudgell Solicitors, representing some families, said, “Bunty’s case has similarities to others we have seen – which is a pattern of poor decision making, failure to consider alternatives to the surgery and failure to discuss with parents the risks and benefits to different treatment options.”

In response, Great Ormond Street issued an apology, stating, “We wish to say we are deeply sorry to Bunty and her family, and all the families impacted by the review of care given by a Lower Limb Orthopaedic surgeon.” The hospital has taken steps to address the issues uncovered in the review.

Dr. Jabbar has since been working in Dubai, but reports indicate he has been suspended pending further investigation into the allegations against him.