A Texas spine surgeon is speaking out about inconsistencies in a lawsuit set to go to trial in October, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Aug. 8.
In 2019, Lesa Swanson alleged Anil Kesani, MD, misplaced four of six screws in her back during a 2017 surgery and that they went directly into her nerves. The complication is common and was corrected within 24 hours, Dr. Kesani told the Star-Telegram.
Ms. Swanson alleged she had symptoms after the second surgery and couldn't feel in parts of her right leg, the report said. She is seeking more than $1 million in damages.
The lawsuit said Ms. Swanson wasn't able to return to work because of the surgeries. However, Dr. Kesani's lawyer, Casey Campbell, said Ms. Swanson traveled by plane at least 17 times since her surgery and initially lied in her deposition. Mr. Campbell and his team also found surveillance footage showing that Ms. Swanson did activities she claimed she couldn't, including driving long distances and carrying heavy objects.
"She is in much better shape after Kesani's surgery than she was in before," Mr. Campbell told the Star-Telegram. "It's frustrating she got the outcome she wanted, and she is still suing because there was this complication that Dr. Kesani corrected."
The lawsuit affected his private practice and family, the Star-Telegram reported. He saw fewer patients and no longer got referrals. His wife, dermatologist Shaily Kesani, MD, said he was also denied a mortgage, and she had to apply for it instead.
"The amount of stress it caused on us was inexplicable and trying to raise a young family all while being branded Dr. Death 2.0 is just so devastating," Dr. Shaily Kesani told the Star-Telegram, referring to the former neurosurgeon accused of harming dozens of patients, Christopher Duntsch.