AN anaesthetist whose five-year-old dental patient died after a routine operation was today found guilty of serious professional misconduct.

Karla Selley, who was given a general anaesthetic because she was frightened of injections, choked to death after an operation to remove a milk tooth in August 1999.

Anaesthetist Dr George Vanner, now 68, of Badgers Wood, Preston, Lancashire, carried out the procedure at the Towngate Dental Surgery in Leyland.

The General Medical Council's professional conduct committee found that the doctor failed to ensure equipment was up to standard, and failed to ensure a dedicated assistant was present.

Karla's mother broke down in tears and told of her relief moments after 'arrogant' Dr Vanner was banned from practising with immediate effect because of his 'elementary and inexcusable' errors.

The anaesthetist, who chose not attend the hearing, was said to have made 'dangerous and woeful' mistakes.

Tracy Marsh, the girl's mother, spoke after the hearing and said: "I am relieved. I cannot express the words at the moment."

Asked if there was anything she wished to say to Dr Vanner she shook her head.

"My child did not have a chance even if she wanted one. This is some kind of justice."

Asked of the possibility of further legal action against the anaesthetist, Mrs Marsh said: "We have got an ongoing thing at the moment."

She said this afternoon's events had been 'very good news' in relation to any potential legal action.

She added: "Having a child taken away from you... you cannot explain it. It's like having my life taken away not just Karla's

"It is a comfort to know Dr Vanner cannot do this to anybody else's child."

The committee also found he failed to monitor the patient properly, failed to administer suction within the patient's mouth when she encountered breathing difficulties and delayed the use of a defibrillator.

The doctor was also found to have administered "an inappropriately high level of shock", earlier described in evidence as "an enormous overdose''.

Striking Dr Vanner's name from the medical register, committee chairman Dr Chitra Bharucha said: "The committee consider that Dr Vanner displayed a lack of insight into the serious deficiencies in his knowledge and skills which they found dangerous and woeful.

"In his police interviews he appeared dismissive of new developments and displayed an arrogance which manifested itself in the sad events of this case.

"The committee were particularly concerned that he was complacent in failing to comply with the guidance offered by Mr Entwistle."

Along with dentist Michael Lane he was cleared of manslaughter at Preston Crown Court in February last year when it emerged Karla might have died from a heart abnormality.

Vivian Robinson QC, for the GMC, told the committee today: "In short, the way in which Dr Vanner appeared to carry out his professional responsibilities was shambolic."

He also referred to comments made by the doctor in which the anaesthetist stated: "I actually have a healthy scepticism to the role of monitors."

Mr Robinson said his comments showed Dr Vanner's 'arrogance' towards basic standards of practice.