Dubai Probes Woman’s Death After Plastic Surgery with Laser Liposuction device

We don't know if the device used in Dubai in the story below was SmartLipo by Cynosure. But the plastic surgeon and anesthetist who were involved had their licenses suspended. How long will it take the CPSO to review the medical registration for Dr. Yazdanfar?

• Dubai Probes Woman’s Death After Plastic Surgery

Shadiah Abdullah, Arab News —

DUBAI, 23 November 2007 — Health authorities in Dubai are investigating the death of an Emirati woman who recently went into coma after undergoing plastic surgery and subsequently died.

The woman had undergone laser liposuction costing 90,000 dirhams at a private clinic. The operation was later done in a private hospital, as the clinic did not have the facilities to undertake the operation.

The death from plastic surgery is the first in the UAE. Plastic surgery is growing in popularity in the UAE with many clinics heavily advertising their services in local newspapers and beauty magazines.

Dr. Eisa Kazem, from the Dubai Department of Health and Medical Services, said the woman sustained brain damage after surgery, which took several hours. She then went in a coma and was taken by her family to Tawam Hospital in Al-Ain City where she died a few days later.

Dr. Kazem said that the Dubai Department of Health and Medical Services is investigating the death and has suspended a plastic surgeon and anesthetist, who performed the operation and revoked their medical licenses.

A committee comprising a neurosurgeon, two plastic surgeons and an anesthetic specialist will investigate the case. If it is found that there was malpractice then legal action will be taken. Malpractice in the UAE is punishable with a fine, revoking of the medical license and criminal prosecution.

The Dubai Department of Health and Medical Services has received 89 cases of malpractice from patients in the past year. Complaints were received against four government hospitals, and 36 private hospitals and clinics. Out of those, 32 cases were found to be true. The Dubai Department of Health and Medical Services took the necessary action against the guilty party.