The state Board of Medical Examiners has revoked the medical license of a Big Island doctor found negligent in a malpractice suit for using part of a screwdriver to brace a patient's spine during surgery.

Orthopedic surgeon Robert Ricketson's license was revoked effective July 13.

Last year, a Hilo Circuit Court jury awarded $5.6 million to the family of Arturo Iturralde, who underwent surgery at Hilo Medical Center in 2001.

Ricketson said he used the shaft of a stainless-steel screwdriver to brace the 73-year-old patient's spine after two titanium rods that were supposed to be implanted were discovered missing during the operation.

The screwdriver snapped days later, and Iturralde underwent three more back surgeries as a result.

He died two years later.

Oklahoma and Texas had suspended Ricketson's medical license before he came to the Big Island.

The jury found the Hilo hospital 35 percent at fault for allowing the surgeon use of the facility.