High Court:An operation to amputate a man's leg, which was approved by the High Court last week after doctors said it was necessary to save his life, has been successful, the court has been told.
Mr Justice Roderick Murphy last week gave permission to the unnamed hospital – on an ex parte (one side only represented) application – to carry out the surgery on the 59-year-old man, who cannot be named by court order.
Doctors sought the order because the man was unconscious and could not give consent and some of his relatives opposed the procedure.
While granting permission for the surgery to be carried out, the judge gave the family a number of hours in which they could apply to vary or discharge his order.
In court yesterday, the man’s brother thanked the court and said the family was happy with the outcome. Mr Justice Murphy said he was delighted the operation had been a success and it had appeared this was a matter of some urgency.
Last week the court heard the man had gangrene of his right leg. Doctors had said that unless they operated immediately, he could develop complications and die.