Surgeon Testifies Maradona Should Not Have Received Home Care After Surgery

During a trial concerning the death of Argentine football legend Diego Maradona, a neurosurgeon testified on Tuesday that the football star should "never have been allowed" to recover at home without continuous medical supervision and appropriate equipment. Maradona passed away in November 2020 at the age of 60 while recuperating from surgery for a brain clot.

Maradona, celebrated as one of football's all-time greats, died from heart failure and acute pulmonary edema just two weeks after his procedure. Seven healthcare professionals who were responsible for his care during his final days are facing charges of criminal negligence related to his death. A key issue being debated is whether his decision to recover at a private residence rather than in a medical facility posed a risk to his health.

Rodolfo Benvenuti, the surgeon who oversaw Maradona’s operation, explained in court that he had recommended stringent home care protocols, including constant monitoring of vital signs, temperature, and blood pressure. He also suggested that Maradona's medical team should check for symptoms like edema and that the home should be equipped with essential medical devices like a defibrillator and pulse oximeter.

Benvenuti emphasized that without proper conditions being met at the residence in Tigre, home care should not have been permitted. The court also heard evidence from a nursing supervisor who alerted Maradona’s team that they were "not prepared for an emergency," pointing out the lack of an IV drip on-site. An emergency doctor who arrived shortly after Maradona's passing noted the absence of crucial equipment such as a defibrillator or oxygen supply.

The accused healthcare providers deny any wrongdoing, attributing Maradona’s death to natural causes, given his long-standing struggles with addiction. A previous trial on this matter was annulled last year after it was revealed that a participating judge was involved in a secret documentary about the case, prompting the current trial to commence earlier this year.