Doctor sued for carving patient's name on to her removed uterus as a 'friendly gesture'

A gynaecologist is being sued for branding his patient's name on to her removed uterus. Dr Red Alinsod claims the unusual act, using a laser burning tool, was simply a 'friendly gesture' because the female patients was a 'good friend'. However, Ingrid Paulicivic, a 47-year-old hairdresser from California, was not so impressed.



She alleges the branding was done for 'no medically necessary purpose or reason' and that she somehow suffered burns on her legs while the uterus was being marked, according to her complaint. Her lawyer Devan Mullins called the branding 'inexcusably bizarre behaviour', adding that the 50-year-old Dr Alinsod was 'fooling around and having fun'. Dr Alinsod told The Smoking Gun website he wrote Mrs Paulicivic's name on the uterus because he 'did not want to get it confused with others' but admitted it was not standard practice.

The pair were acquaintances, and Dr Alinsod said the name carving was also just a 'gesture of friendship'. Mr Mullins said Mrs Paulicivic and her husband Joe first learned of the branding during a follow-up visit during which the 47-year-old complained about burns she suffered during the operation. The couple then asked to see images Dr Alinsod was examining.



The gynaecologist provided the couple with about 50 digital images, Mr Mullins said, including photos showing the doctor writing on the uterus, as well as pictures of him holding the organ after 'Ingrid' was branded on it, one inch high and five inches long. The 50-year-old said he complied with their request to see the pictures because he had 'nothing to hide'. Mrs Paulicivic's husband is also named as a plaintiff in the lawsuit which states he was 'permanently injured and damaged' because of the lack of intimacy between the couple as a result of the hysterectomy. Paulicivic's lawsuit does not specify monetary damages.