A surgeon suspended over the deaths of two patients following rushed procedures is set to resume practice after the NSW Medical Council lost its appeal against his reinstatement.

High-profile otolaryngologist Dr William Mooney was barred for 12 months in April 2022 after he was found guilty of professional misconduct over his treatment of two patients, including a 24-year-old man who died two days after surgery to address his snoring.

During the “inappropriately short” surgery, Dr Mooney noticed bleeding but thought his repair of the artery had been successful and did not review the patient in hospital, the original tribunal had heard.

Two days later, the patient underwent emergency surgery for a recurrent haemorrhage but had an MI during the operation and died without regaining consciousness.