The suspension of Luxembourg orthopedist Philippe Wilmes is extended for a further 21 months. The basis is a report from three French experts, writes Das Luxembourg word. In it, radiologist Alain Blum and orthopedists Elvire Servien and Jacques Hummer come to the conclusion that in ten cases examined, the patients’ anterior cruciate ligaments were intact before the operations. The interventions were therefore not medically justified. “According to the experts, the offense of mutilation is present in all ten cases,” writes Das Word.
Health Minister Martine Deprez (CSV) justifies the extension of the suspension with the “Principe de précaution” and the expected duration of the ongoing proceedings before the “Collège médical” and a possible disciplinary council. According to Deprez, resuming operations carries the risk of “serious harm” to future patients.
The central evidence in the report is MRI imaging. In all cases, the images showed a continuous cruciate ligament that was not torn. The documentation submitted by Wilmes, including an extensive dossier and several witness statements, could not convince the experts. A contrary radiological report from the USA was also classified as not relevant to the decision.
Criticism from Wilmes
Wilmes firmly rejects the allegations. In a statement on what this refers to Word he criticizes the report as one-sided and scientifically untenable. It relies almost exclusively on MRI images and neglects clinical findings and arthroscopic examinations. Particularly in the case of partial injuries, a cruciate ligament can appear intact on the MRI but be functionally damaged, argues Wilmes.
Wilmes also sharply criticized the procedure itself. A central video conference with the experts only lasted two hours, with only four of the ten cases being discussed. The report had already been completed before the meeting, which meant that no real debate took place. Wilmes also questioned the independence of individual experts and pointed out professional overlaps in the European specialist association ESSKA between the expert Servien and the Luxembourg knee specialist Romain Seil from the CHL.
Wilmes receives support from several international specialists who question the medical conclusions of the report. To classify the composition of the expert panel: Of the three experts who wrote the report, one was selected by Wilmes himself and one by the Ministry of Health. The two experts then agreed on a third colleague.
