Dubai plastic surgeon loses his licence

Dubai: A plastic surgeon, whose patient slipped into a coma while undergoing a face-lift, has lost his licence to practise due to the botched procedure, Gulf News has learnt.

The 48-year old Emirati woman went for a face-lift at the end of November, 2007. The surgeon, who had a private practice in Dubai, performed the procedure at a private hospital located near Port Rashid.

In the middle of the procedure, the patient's heart stopped beating and she slipped into a coma. She is now receiving treatment at Zayed Military Hospital in Abu Dhabi, where doctors said her condition has not changed.

The surgeon, an anaesthetist and two nurses involved in the botched procedure have been under investigation, and their licences suspended, for almost six months.

Dr Ramadan Ebrahim, head of the Clinical Governance Office (CGO) at Dubai Health Authority (DHA), told Gulf News a panel of doctors decided to withdraw the surgeon's licence last week.

"He is not allowed to practise in Dubai or the other emirates. It was proven that he had been negligent and had mismanaged the case," he said.

As for the rest of the surgical team, Dr. Ebrahim said the panel of doctors did not find any proof they caused the woman's current condition. "Thy were found not responsible. They have received warnings instead," he added.

He said the warnings were because they did not look after the patient's rights. They did not inform her fully of the risks involved with the procedure.

The woman has high blood pressure, a condition that can cause complications when combined with general anaesthesia.

Dr Ebrahim said the panel's findings have been forwarded to the DHA legal office, responsible for dealing with the Public Prosecution. He added the family of the woman has already filed a lawsuit against the surgeon.

The 48-year old woman's plight is the third involving plastic surgery gone wrong in recent months.

Have your say
Do you know anyone who had a botched plastic surgery operation? What happened? Would you ever consider plastic surgery? Why?

not to practice IS A VERY LIGHT judgment. He nearly killed the woman. She is away from the family who are worried to death. He ought to be put in the cooler
Firozali
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 28, 2008, 14:00

Anyone who is going under such type of surgery have to think as many times and consult with as many Doctors as possible also.
Pradeep
Manama,Bahrain
Posted: April 28, 2008, 13:59

a nurse can not take a decision on any situation,she only assist so why she should be punished?
anonymous
SHJ,UAE
Posted: April 28, 2008, 13:54

As far as I know the patient should undergo series of test if she is fit to undergo an operation. Did the surgeon and the anesthetist checked that before performing the operation
anonymous
.,.
Posted: April 28, 2008, 12:26

Cancelling the licince is not a bad idea for such kind of negligence.
jafar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 28, 2008, 12:02

It is the anaesthetist who is responsible for the patient during the surgery, unless the patient went comatose because of the procedure.
Gaurang
Mumbai,India
Posted: April 28, 2008, 10:27

If any complication occurs due to surgery then the surgeon is responsible, and if it is due to the anaesthesia then the anaesthetist is responsible. It would be unfair to only punish the surgeon for his partial liability, while the real accountability lies with the anaesthetist.
KH
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 28, 2008, 09:45

Pray for her to survive with her dilemma. This should serve as lesson to all women and men who never get satisfied with their God-given looks.
Shirly
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 28, 2008, 09:37

I would point the finger at both the incompetent surgeon and the patient. Women should know the risks before allowing themselves to go under the knife.
Eleeza
Kuala lumpur,Malaysia
Posted: April 28, 2008, 09:37

All this trouble for a face lift? If only people would be graceful for what God has already given them, then this sort of thing wouldn't be happening.
Anonymous
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 28, 2008, 09:19

I would not recommend to people that any kind of plastic surgery be carried out in the UAE because there are many private clinics that are not authorised by the government and are still carrying out such surgeries without notification. They are not at all trained and have made this a money-making business. Instead, if at all required, people should get this done from places like the US, Canada, Germany etc, but only after a thorough investigation of the doctors and people who have actually been treated by such doctors.
Tehmina
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 28, 2008, 08:09

The surgeon in the story "Plastic surgeon loses his licence" does not seem to be responsible for the patient's condition as an anaesthetist is the one who is responsible for ensuring the patient's fitness for the anaesthesia before surgery, and also for the intra-operative monitoring and management of patients heart, lung and circulatory condition.
N.B.
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: April 28, 2008, 01:07