Trial begins over Kentucky man’s amputated penis

A man who had his penis amputated during surgery to treat cancer "doesn't feel like a man" any more, a panel of jurors in Kentucky has heard.

Truck driver Phillip Seaton and his wife, Deborah, are seeking unspecified compensation from Dr. John M. Patterson for "loss of service, love and affection" since his penis was removed, the AP reports. 

Jurors were shown graphic photographs of Seaton's groin saying, with Seaton's attorney, Kevin George, saying: "You can see there's nothing there."

Seaton claims Patterson had not given any indication there were concerns the man might have penile cancer when he went into surgery in 2007, as Seaton was merely undergoing a circumcision to treat inflammation

The couple also sued the anesthesiologist, Dr. Oliver James of Shelbyville, claiming he used a general anesthesia even though Seaton asked that it not be administered.

The case against Patterson hinges on whether a jury finds the procedure was a necessary emergency procedure. The Louisville Jewish Hospital has already paid Seaton as part of an undisclosed settlement, the Jewish Chronicle Online reports. 

Kevin George, Seaton's attorney, reportedly said of Seaton during opening arguments in Shelby County Circuit Court on Monday that:

"He's angry because Dr. Patterson took off his penis without asking, without giving him a choice, without giving him the opportunity to check around and talk to other people."

Patterson's lawyer, however, told jurors that his client removed only the tip of Seaton's penis because it was so riddled with deadly penile cancer it "had the appearance of rotten cauliflower."

Clay Robinson said another doctor removed the remainder of Seaton's penis in a later procedure, the AP reports.

The doctor, Robinson said, was faced with "a dreaded dilemma" during surgery upon discovering the cancer, which he said is invasive and can only be treated by surgical removal.

"Mr. Seaton is here today, able to be in this courtroom … because John Patterson saved his life," Robinson said.