An independent review of cases treated at the prestigious Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) in London has found that former orthopedic surgeon Yaser Jabbar caused harm to between 85 and 100 children during lower limb surgery.
According to a report published following an examination of 789 patients operated on by Jabbar between 2017 and 2023, many children experienced serious complications: chronic pain, deformities, significant differences in leg length (up to 20 cm), nerve damage, and in one case, amputation of a limb, which, according to experts, could have been avoided.
Of the affected children:
32 cases were classified as severe harm with possible lifelong consequences (deformities or chronic pain);
36 cases were classified as moderate harm;
18 cases were classified as minor harm.
Jabbar, known among colleagues as “the frame guy” for his frequent use of external fixators to lengthen limbs, stopped working with patients in 2022 after complaints from families and hospital staff. In 2023, he resigned from GOSH after a report by the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) described his operations as “inappropriate” and “incorrect.” The surgeon then moved to Dubai, where he continued to practice.
The GOSH administration offered its sincere apologies to all the children affected and their families: “We deeply regret the actions of the surgeon who worked at GOSH from 2017 to 2022, which have caused harm to children, young people, and their families.” The full report will be presented to the hospital’s board of trustees on January 29, 2026, and individual conclusions on each case will be provided to families in the near future.
The families of the victims accuse the hospital of a “culture of concealment” and delays in responding to complaints. Some parents note that Jabbar kept poor medical records, making it difficult to fully assess the damage.
The investigation is ongoing, including an audit of Jabbar’s work at other London clinics. The UK’s General Medical Council (GMC) imposed restrictions on his practice back in 2024.
This scandal has become one of the most high-profile in the history of British pediatric surgery, raising questions about oversight and safety at leading medical institutions.