The reputation of an orthopaedic surgeon has been destroyed by irresponsible media claims that he ignored a patient whose leg was infested with maggots after being implanted with a prosthetic limb, a defamation trial has been told.

The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age newspapers and a 60 Minutes episode last year alleged Adjunct Clinical Professor Munjed Al Muderis had used high-pressure sales tactics to attract patients and abandoned others when there were complications.

In her opening address, the high-profile doctor’s barrister, Sue Chrysanthou SC, said the stories were disgraceful and had left readers feeling horror and disgust towards him.

One report included a headline about former paratrooper Mark Urquhart finding maggots in a post-surgery skin fold and claimed the surgeon ignored the issue.