Santusht Perera, a doctor of Indian origin, practising at New Jersey, has been suspended for two years on the ground of operating the right lung instead of left and for lying and then altering the documents pertaining the operation. The state Board of Medical Examiners has imposed a fine of $81,000 on him after a review and appeal process of more that eight years. However, the board said that the doctor can apply to be reinstated within six months.

During a surgery at Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center in Secaucus in September 2000, Perera moved a portion of right lung of 60 year old Richard rather than removing portions of left lung. This error precluded any surgery on the cancerous lung.  

To his surprise, Flagg found the right side of his body hurt though he was told that his left lung was affected by tumour. According to the state documents, when the patient questioned Perera, the doctor, to cover up his blunder, lied and cheated the patient that an even larger tumour had been detected in his right lung.

The announcement of suspension of Perera’s medical license was followed a New Jersey appeals court decision this month upholding the suspension of order by the Board.