Doctor Punished After Lancing Cyst Led to Nerve Damage Symptoms

A Mission Viejo urgent care doctor has been placed on four years probation after lancing a neck cyst led his patient to experience nerve damage symptoms.

The cyst was drained twice inside the doctor's office at Southland Family and Urgent Care (27660 Santa Margarita Parkway), the state complaint says. After the second procedure, the patient complained of weakness, numbness and pain in her left arm.

After a neurology consultation, the woman was told her pain and numbness was caused by the neck surgery and could have damaged her nerve fibers.

Melahoures was criticized for failing to consult a throat specialist and for conducting the surgery himself.

The doctor told a local newspaper he was "completely innocent," and further said he only signed an agreement with the state board because his expert witness was not allowed to testify.

The decision against Melahoures was signed by the doctor May 15 and released to the public Thursday. Under the conditions of his probation, the doctor must attend an ethics course, a clinical training program and is not allowed to supervise physicians assistants.