Dr Elsissi is a Consultant in Anaesthetics and an Expert Witness. He has attended Inspire MediLaw training and is instructed by Claimants and Defendants on clinical negligence cases.
Dr Elsissi has 6 years experience as an Expert Witness and has provided opinion on over 100 reports from anaesthesia related incidents, injection complications, post-surgery complications and issues around informed consent to name a few. Previously undertaking personal injury cases as well as extensive cases in clinical negligence. He prepares clinical negligence reports and completes approximately 20–30 reports per year, providing clear, balance and independent opinions in accordance with his duties as an expert.

His medico-legal work is underpinned by meticulous analysis of medical records, evidence-based evaluation. Dr Elsissi supports courts, legal professionals, insurers and regulatory bodies by delivering authoritative expert opinions that promote accountability, patient safety, and informed judicial outcomes.

He is able to conduct assessments if the case calls for it, but predominantly writes desktop reports, dealing with causation, liability and breach of duty. Although he has received numerous witness summons, he is yet to attend Court.

Dr Elsissi acts in anaesthesia cases associated with:

• General Anaesthesia:
  – Cardio-thoracic
  – Orthopaedics
  – Urology
  – General surgery
  – Maxillofacial
  – Breast surgery
  – Gynaecology
  – Ear, nose, and throat (ENT)
  – Allegations of negligence in the conduct of anaesthesia
  – Pre-operative assessment and optimisation of patients
  – Intraoperative anaesthetic management and monitoring standards
  – Airway management complications (failed intubation, aspiration, difficult airway)
  – Awareness under anaesthesia
  – Anaesthetic drug errors, adverse drug reactions including anaphylaxis
  – Equipment use and safety (e.g. ventilators, infusion devices)
  – Vascular access and line insertions
  – Intraoperative Cardiovascular management
  – Post-operative care and recovery issues (e.g. failure to recognise deterioration)
  – Post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD)
  – Post-operative complications (e.g. nausea and vomiting, delayed recovery)
• Informed consent:
  – Pre-operative assessment
  – Examination
  – Implications of ceasing medication to undergo surgery
  – After-effects/risks
  – Hypoxic brain injury
  – Cardic arrest
  – Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
  – Aspiration pneumonia
• Adverse reactions:
  – Previous reaction to anaesthetic
  – Use of medication and the effects anaesthetics can have (anticoagulants /antiplatelet)
• Intubation placement:
  – Misplacement/size
  – Tracheal tube insertion/size/procedure
  – Risk of oesophageal tear
• Spinal block Insertion/complications/mismanagement
  – Epidural
  – Repeated attempts at insertion
  – Misplacement
  – Nerve damage
• Nerve block: insertion/complications/mismanagement
  – Peribulbar block
  – Subtenons nerve block
• Complications during surgery:
  – Vomiting
  – Waking
  – Risk of choking
• Emergency Anaesthesia and Resuscitation:
  – Rapid sequence induction and airway management in emergencies
  – Cardiac arrest management and rescue of the deteriorating paitent
  – Management of massive transfusion
• Cardiothoracic critical care:
  – Admission, management and discharge decisions
  – Ventilation management and sedation practices
  – Sepsis management and organ support
  – End-of-life care, withdrawl of treatment and consent/communication issues
• Medico-legal and Professional issues:
  – Standards of documentation and consent
  – Duty of candour and communication with patients and families
  – Fitness to practise and professional conduct in anaesthesia practice
  – Review of clinical governance and guideline adherence

Dr Elsissi predominantly completes desktop reports, but carries out assessments on a case-by-case basis. His report turnaround time is 4-6 weeks.