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Local surgeon under fire for experimental surgeries says he has nothing to hide

On Monday, Channel 9's Kathi Belich heard from the Orange County surgeon who is at the center of a controversy over experimental surgeries he performed at Florida Hospital.
 
The hospital said neurosurgeon Dr. William Lu did not follow protocol.
 
Now some local attorneys are investigating whether to file a lawsuit against Lu.
 
Lu told Belich that he has nothing to hide and if his lawyer gives the OK he will answer Belich's question about the case.
 
Lu's lawyer said he doesn't want his client talking right now, but told Belich that Lu's surgery is built on sound medical principles and that right now there are no pending matters with the State Board of Medicine and no lawsuits.
 
Florida Hospital officials told Belich that Lu did not follow protocol with its institutional review board, which regulates experimental surgeries.
 
Last week, Orlando attorneys John Morgan and Keith Mitnik said Dr. Lu's spine surgery involves screws and cables, which they said provided their clients either no relief or brought greater pain. They said others are worried they could have the same problems.
 
Belich learned that Lu still has privileges to perform surgery at another area hospital, Orlando Regional Medical Center.
 
ORMC officials said Lu approached its chief medical officers about doing the procedure, and he was told how to get approval. They said he did not follow through.  

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — One woman emailed Channel 9 and said Lu's surgery changed her life for the better and praised him for his ingenuity and his ability to think outside the box.

Another person emailed to defend Lu.

Neither patient would talk to Channel 9 on camera.

Belich checked and found that Lu has been fined twice by the State Board of Medicine since 2000 for surgical mistakes, and in one case for not documenting it.

WFTV

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