Neurosurgery Malpractice: Dr. Death

Christopher Daniel Duntsch, nicknamed "Dr. Death," is a former neurosurgeon who was sentenced to life in prison in 2017 due to gross malpractice during surgical operations. Duntsch committed malpractice in many ways, such as being under the influence of substances and his narcissistic belief that he was capable of doing achieving anything. Unfortunately, this was the case even if his actions would cause patients harm or procedures were beyond his skill set. Between 2011 and 2015, Duntsch caused irreversible damage to over 33 patients due to careless medical practice.

One of the incidents Duntsch was on trial for, in particular, was a severe bodily injury to an elderly woman, Mary Efurd. In 2012, Efurd had spinal surgery done. However, Efurd left the operating room worse than she was before. Duntsch's surgical missteps disconnected her nerve root and left unused screw holes in her spine. Efurd was permanently paralyzed and has relied on a wheelchair ever since. Duntsch's inhumane malpractice not only took a physical toll on Efurd but an emotional toll as well. Hearing of his Duntsch's suspended license, Efurd cried for two days out of relief and gratitude. Justice was finally served for herself and other victims.

Duntsch left many of his patients with paralysis, chronic nerve pain, difficulty reasoning or moving, and even died at the hands of reckless Duntsch. Blinded by his apathy toward patient outcomes and confidence in his surgical skill set, Duntsch's narcissism and malpractice permanently harmed the lives of many living in Texas.

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References

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A.M, A. (n.d.). 12 Stories of Criminals And Murders: Dr. Death , Christopher Duntsch , Robin Boes mother’s confession to murder , Professional kille ” Solonik “ “Superkiller” ... , AND Other murders. In Amazon. Kindle. Retrieved April 3, 2023, from https://www.amazon.com/Stories-Criminals-Murders-Christopher-Professional-ebook/dp/B0996B7Q5X?ref_=ast_author_mpb

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CBS Colorado. (2021, July 21). Who Is Christopher Duntsch, The Man Nicknamed “Dr. Death” Who Injured Patients During Surgery. Www.cbsnews.com; CBS Colorado. https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/christopher-duntsch-who-is-dr-death-colorado-doctor-texas-injured-patients/

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Chapman, J. R., Wang, J. C., & Wiechert, K. (2019). How Should We Deal With “Black Swan” Surgeons in Spine Surgery?. Global Spine Journal, 9(4), 365–367. https://doi.org/10.1177/2192568219847207

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Gajanan, M. (2021, July 16). The True Story Behind Peacock’s “Dr. Death.” Time. https://time.com/6080714/dr-death-true-story/

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Goodman, M. (2016, November). Dr. Death: The shocking story of Christopher Duntsch, a madman with a scalpel. D Magazine. https://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-magazine/2016/november/christopher-duntsch-dr-death/

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Keegan, W., Tessier, W., & Story, J. (2021). Where Does it Begin and How to Stop It: Opportunities to Prevent “Bad” Physicians. Missouri Medicine, 118(3), 206–210. National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8210989/