The jury in the trial of former Bundaberg surgeon Jayant Patel has been unable to reach a verdict and has been discharged.
On the fourth day of deliberations, the jury of six men and women sent a note to District Court Judge Terry Martin indicating they were unable to reach a unanimous decision.
Justice Martin discharged the panel at 12.50pm (AEST).
Patel had pleaded not guilty to a charge of grievous bodily harm by unnecessarily removing Ian Vowles' large bowel when he was director of surgery at the Bundaberg Base Hospital.
It was the second time Patel had faced trial over the same allegation.
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A 2010 Supreme Court jury found him guilty of causing Mr Vowles grievous bodily harm, and killing three other patients.
Patel was sentenced to seven years' prison. However all convictions were quashed on appeal last year and the charges are being re-tried separately.
