Plano Doctor Suspended After Two Patient Deaths

PLANO (CBSDFW.COM) - A Plano neurosurgeon's medical license has been temporarily suspended by the state after two of his patients died under his care.

The Texas Medical Board reviewed Dr. Christopher Duntsch's treatment of four patients from January 2012 to June 2013, including one who bled to death after an unnecessary surgery in which it was determined Dr. Duntsch injured an artery.  Another of Duntsch's patient died of an abdominal hemorrhage following a procedure.  Duntsch left a surgical sponge inside the chest of another patient, according to the board.

The Texas Medical Board's found Duntsch's "treatment of our patients significantly violated the standard of care."  The board's finding also showed Duntsch failed  "to follow appropriate preoperative planning standards and failing to recognize and respond to complications during surgery and postoperatively puts Dr. Duntsch's patients at significant risk of harm and has resulted in at least two patient deaths."

Duntsch received his medical license in 2002 after graduating from the University of Tennessee at Memphis.  He obtained a license from the Texas Medical Board in December 2010.  At the time of his suspension, Duntsch had privileges at Baylor Plano Hospital and listed neurological surgery as his primary specialty.