A 39-year old woman who underwent liposuction in a private clinic in Cartagena in December died this Saturday from the consequences.
A family spokesperson said the death was the result of multiple perforations in the kidneys, liver, and intestines. After the liposuction, the victim was transferred to the intensive care unit of the Santa Lucía Public Hospital in Cartagena.
Wrongful death?
According to sources close to the 39-year-old woman, they reported the case to the public prosecutor. Consequently, it is now being studied whether the death will be presented as a reckless homicide after the autopsy. According to the complaint, the doctor who performed the liposuction began his training in Chile and then completed it in Murcia and Naples (Italy). Until May 2020, he worked as a cardiovascular surgeon by the government of Murcia. He recently obtained a master’s degree in aesthetic medicine from the Complutense University of Madrid.
Five-hour liposuction surgery
The liposuction procedure, performed at the Galena clinic in Murcia, lasted five hours. After the operation, the medical staff informed the family about the operation. The surgeon told them everything had gone well although there were problems with blood pressure due to blood and fluid loss. Therefore, this meant the patient had to stay longer in the operating room. However, later, the woman went into shock and an ambulance had to take her to the public hospital emergency room in Cartagena.
Injuries consistent with the consequences of a stabbing
During the recovery operation afterward, doctors found injuries more consistent with the consequences of a stabbing than of a medical procedure. This said Ignacio Martinez, the family lawyer. The medical report mentions, among other things; necrosis (tissue death) of the abdominal wall, peritonitis, intestinal perforations, and multiple injuries as a result of the liposuction.
Drug tests and further investigation
According to the complaint, these findings can in no way be justified as a typical risk of anesthetic liposculpture procedure. The Public Prosecution Service will therefore carry out drug tests on the surgeon. Consequently, everyone who took part in the procedure will be subject to further investigation.
*Liposuction is a surgical procedure that uses a suction technique to remove fat from specific areas of the body, such as the abdomen or hips
