What criteria did I consider to characterize a surgeon as top-level?
In general, that the surgeon performs leg lengthening regularly (or exclusively); that is, that leg lengthening is a primary focus of the surgeon's practice. That the surgeon also conducts research regarding leg lengthening and is published (books or peer-reviewed articles). That the surgeon performs both medically necessary and elective leg lengthening. That the surgeon has no public record of discipline or gross malpractice and is regulated by a professional body. That the surgeon employs a team of qualified professionals. That the surgeon practices in a first world country with modern facilities.
Though at the time Mahoubian was still a bit new to the game for my liking, Mahoubian ticked all of these boxes as did several other surgeons.
Good criteria. But Mahboubian doesn't satisfy all of them.
- surgeon performs leg lengthening regularly (or exclusively)
Yes Dr M does CLL regularly
- that is, that leg lengthening is a primary focus of the surgeon's practice
Yes Dr M primary focus is CLL
- That the surgeon also conducts research regarding leg lengthening and is published (books or peer-reviewed articles).
No, Dr M does not do this. I have found 0 examples of Dr M involved in research or lectures or books.
- That the surgeon performs both medically necessary and elective leg lengthening.
Not a whole lot of evidence on this one. Most of his work is branded as CLL and not deformity correction
- That the surgeon has no public record of discipline or gross malpractice and is regulated by a professional body
I guess Dr M is clean here
- That the surgeon employs a team of qualified professionals.
I dont know what you mean here. M operates alone and doesn't have a partner or right hand. Nor does he have a dedicated PT team. I believe Paley is an example of someone who employes a team of qualified professionals.
You have repeatedly multiple times that your words are not advice to anyone and one should do his own research. I agree. But I am just pointing the obvious contradiction with one surgeon. Dr M has the best diaries on the forum however.