VISTA, Calif. - A plastic surgeon whose procedures had been likened to "human torture" and who had been the target of several civil lawsuits has agreed to stop practicing medicine and surrendered his medical license.
William Watkins, who was not board-certified in plastic and reconstructive surgery, gave up his license late last month. The Medical Board of California accused him of failing to follow the customary practice of using general anesthesia for plastic surgery.
Patients charged that they kicked and screamed in pain during procedures done under local anesthesia. And other problems were found with Watkins' office.
A machine used to sterilize his scalpels and other operating room instruments had apparently been broken for years and showed signs of being inhabited by rats, according to lawsuits filed against Watkins.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=816&ncid=816&e=5&u=/ap/20040616/ap_on_fe_st/odd_surgeon