A U.K.-based orthopedic surgeon is being investigated by police for allegedly keeping the bones of at least 5,224 patients that he operated on, The Independent reported Sept. 29.
Dr. Derek McMinn, pioneer of an innovative hip resurfacing technique, allegedly stored the bones at his home and a business premises without a license or appropriate consent from patients.
His actions breached the Human Tissue Act, which forbids the removing, storing or using of human tissue without proper consent.
Dr. McMinn has been suspended from Edgbaston Hospital, a private facility in Birmingham where he performed most of the surgeries.
Nurses, physicians and other operating room staff were allegedly aware of the surgeon's actions, according to The Independent. The newspaper received a leaked internal report — completed in October 2019 — from BMI Healthcare, which operates Edgbaston Hospital.
BMI Healthcare has come under fire for failing to inform patients of the investigation.
Dr. McMinn has performed more than 3,500 hip resurfacings and over 6,000 total hip replacements, including many surgeries on high-profile athletes, according to his website.
He has presented internationally at annual meetings of various professional societies, including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the European Federation of Orthopaedic Societies.
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