Dodgy US neurosurgeon performs botched surgeries in SA, leaving patients paralysed
Dr. Tristram Horton, stripped of his licence in the USA, has been permitted to practice in South Africa within the state and private healthcare sectors.
Dr Tristram Horton / X: @carteblanchetv
Pippa Hudson interviews Tarryn Crossman, Carte Blanche producer.
Listen below.
Sunday night's Carte Blanche episode shook viewers with revelations of potential medical malpractice, shedding light on alarming lapses in the scrutiny of international doctors by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
Presenter Govan Whittles delved into the case of an American neurosurgeon whose conduct and surgical competence have triggered serious concerns among colleagues in South Africa.
Dr. Tristram Horton, stripped of his licence in the USA, has been permitted to practice in South Africa within the state and private healthcare sectors.
The episode exposes a chilling case where a patient underwent brain surgery last October to address a blood clot.
Instead of remedying the issue, Dr. Horton inadvertently severed the blood supply to a part of the patient's brain, leaving them paralysed upon awakening.
In another harrowing incident, a patient suffering from seizures due to an aggressive brain tumour was assured by Dr. Horton that it had been successfully removed in the same month.
Shockingly, subsequent examinations revealed that the tumour had not been touched at all, casting a shadow of doubt over Dr. Horton's competence and ethical conduct.
"It started off more concerned with his aggression and volatile type of personality in theatre and then it progressed to patient concern."
- Tarryn Crossman, Carte Blanche Producer
Mathibila underwent brain surgery in October last year to fix a blood clot in his brain. Instead, his neurosurgeon - Dr Tristram Horton - cut off the blood supply to part of his brain. Mathabile woke up paralysed. #CarteBlanche @govanwhittles pic.twitter.com/jXIKicX7TS
— Carte Blanche (@carteblanchetv) June 9, 2024
Marcia Cronje experienced seizures due to an aggressive brain tumour. In October last year, Dr Tristram Horton said he successfully removed it. But this doctor confirms the tumour was "never even touched". #CarteBlanche @govanwhittles pic.twitter.com/OcB3ietxAH
— Carte Blanche (@carteblanchetv) June 9, 2024
One neurosurgeon describes Dr Tristram Horton as "unstable". We are investigating Horton's trail of alleged botched brain surgeries at various Gauteng hospitals. Watch it now on #CarteBlanche, only on @MNet channel 101. pic.twitter.com/tEvFx64jyd
— Carte Blanche (@carteblanchetv) June 9, 2024
Crossman hopes that following the airing of this episode, the HPCSA will re-evaluate Dr. Horton's licencing and handle the case with greater seriousness.
"It was incredibly hard to get anyone to go on the record."
- Tarryn Crossman, Carte Blanche Producer
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.