Adult Circumcision Leads to Penis Amputation, Trial to Begin

The trial is set to begin in the case of a patient who had his penis amputated during a procedure to perform an adult circumcision.

A Kentucky man, who went to an area urologist to treat chronic inflammation and infection with a circumcision in 2007, woke up in horror to find that his penis had been amputated. Phillip Seaton, now in his 60's, went for the procedure to ease his chronic discomfort and, according to him, was not consulted on the removal of the organ. His pending lawsuit, for an undisclosed amount of money, will be based on whether the amputation was a "necessary part of the surgery." The doctor in question, Dr. John Patterson of Louisville, maintains that he had detected cancer in the penis and that the amputation was in the best interest of Seaton's overall health. Patterson also maintains that he had written permission to perform any procedures he deemed necessary. The trial was initially set to begin in January, but was delayed due to excessive pre-trial publicity. Attorneys insist, though, that this week's hearing will go ahead as planned. Seaton and his wife had also sued Jewish Hospital, where the procedure took place, but settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.