Dr Yeo, in a statement through his lawyer Lek Siang Pheng, said he was happy to be vindicated by the court.

"Truly, I am very sorry for the eventual poor outcome for Madam Goh, but I know my team and I at the NUH have done our very best for her," he added.

He also said it was regrettable that the family relied on "wrong medical expert opinions" and decided to sue instead of accepting his honest explanation for her outcome.

The family of Madam Goh Guan Sin was also ordered to pay her hospital bills, which amounted to $397,478.78 as of July 26 this year and continues to be incurred.

Madam Goh, 70, has been hospitalised at NUH since her operation and her family has repeatedly rejected the hospital's suggestion to move her to a step-down care facility.