Rogue surgeon operated on 12-year-old’s penis without consent because ‘it didn’t look normal’

A NAVY surgeon has been suspended for six months after operating on a 12-year-old child’s penis without consent.

Commander Anthony Lambert was supposed to be carrying out an umbilical hernia repair on the child, but decided to operate further.

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The Navy surgeon told the boy’s parents that he did it without their consent because he was “a little nosy” and realized it “didn’t seem normal.”

He served in the Royal Navy for 36 years and was considered an “extremely experienced and respected practitioner” who achieved the rank of surgeon commander.

Cdr Lambert was suspended for six months after appearing at a medical tribunal.

The surgeon carried out the procedure at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth while the boy was unconscious under general anesthetic on April 20, 2016, a hearing was told.

During the operation, he “performed the release of preputial adhesions” on his penis – without the knowledge or consent of the boy or his parents.

The boy’s mother filed a formal complaint three days after the procedure.

Cdr Lambert protested that this was “the first time in 16 years” he had faced a complaint.

However, he was investigated in 2014 for using inappropriate language in front of nursing staff, patients and patients’ parents, the hearing was told.

A complaint was made against Cdr Lambert’s conduct in 2018 by a Foundation Year 1 trainee.

The surgeon admitted to having made “abusive” comments of an “intimidating nature” towards patients and healthcare professionals.

He told members he was “devastated by the consequences of his actions” and had undertaken the procedure in good faith.

Members also heard how stress could have influenced his behavior, which he suffered during his deployment to combat zones.

Although Cdr Lambert has retired, there is a risk he may choose to return to work, the panel heard.

They ruled that the decision to examine and operate without consent was compounded by the patient’s age.

Cdr Lambert allegedly made little effort to find the boy’s parents after he noticed the “abnormality in his penis”.

They added: “The court considered that members of the medical profession would find it deplorable for a doctor to operate on a child without any form of consent, or after an express refusal of consent.

“The Court concluded that this misconduct was serious – obtaining consent before carrying out a procedure or physical investigation on a patient is a fundamental principle of the medical profession.”

Cdr Lambert was refused consent from the patient and his parents on two occasions, the court alleged.

The court concluded that the surgeon’s actions constituted serious misconduct and he was suspended for six months.