Inquiry into tracheal operations at Karolinska University Hospital presented

Today Professor Emeritus Kjell Asplund presented his external, independent investigation of Paolo Macchiarini’s transplantations of synthetic tracheae at Karolinska University Hospital between 2011 and 2013.

Kjell Asplund, who is chair of the Swedish National Council on Medical Ethics (SMER) and former director general of the National Board of Health and Welfare, was tasked in February 2016 with conducting the inquiry by Melvin Samsom, director of Karolinska University Hospital.

A number of investigations have been initiated due to the Macchiarini case, some with a direct focus on Macchiarini and his activities. The Karolinska University Hospital and Karolinska Institutet have both appointed external investigators.

External investigation concerning Karolinska Institutet

On Monday 5 September Sten Heckscher will be presenting an external independent investigation into Karolinska Institutet’s handling of the Macchiarini case which was conducted on behalf of the University Board. The investigators’ task has been to examine events and circumstances at Karolinska Institutet since Paolo Macchiarini was recruited as visiting professor in 2010 up to the present.