Ian Paterson: Jailed surgeon removed breast tissue, inquest told

The hearing has also been told Mrs Baker, a Birmingham secondary school teacher who was born in Stoke-on-Trent and lived in Solihull, had a “skin-sparing” mastectomy in 2005, after being advised there was no additional risk to the reconstructive part of the procedure.

Asked on Thursday whether he intended to carry out a cleavage-sparing mastectomy on Mrs Baker, Paterson replied: “It’s nonsense to suggest that anyone having immediate reconstruction would require any residual tissue or former cleavage. That tissue is going to be provided by reconstruction or an implant.”

Then asked whether it was his intention to remove all the breast tissue, Paterson replied “yes”.

The inquest heard 209g of tissue was removed which a multi-displinary team considered to be “a small amount” for someone with a 34B-cup breast, which would normally weigh 350g.

Paterson said: “The weight is the weight. Whether it’s too light or too heavy isn’t going to change the fact that the operation is complete.”

He added: “The weight is the weight and entirely commensurate with the removal of all the tissue.”

The hearing was shown a pathology report which said the tumour reached the excision margin, with Paterson asked: “Does it indicate the tumour hadn’t been completely removed?”

He replied: “No.”

Paterson is serving a 20-year jail term for wounding.

The inquest continues.