Plastic surgery clinic ordered to compensate for patient's death

By Lee Kyung-min

A district court ordered a plastic surgery clinic in southern Seoul, Monday, to pay 350 million won ($318,000) in compensation to the family of a woman who died due to medical malpractice.

During an operation there in August 2013, the woman, whose identity was withheld, fell into a coma after being administered with propofol, which is used for anesthesia. She died four months later.

She was undergoing surgery for calf muscle reduction to make her legs slimmer.

The family filed the suit in January last year claiming that the clinic was negligent in monitoring the woman’s condition during the surgery including blood pressure, breathing and other vital signs.

The hospital failed to provide proper information about possible side effects prior to the surgery, the family claimed.

The Seoul Central District Court ruled in favor of the family saying the woman’s death resulted from the clinic’s negligence.

“The medical staff failed to monitor and report irregularities of the woman’s condition during the surgery. The clinic is responsible for failing to educate its staff to ensure the safety of the patient,” a judge said.

“The hospital was also negligent for failing to fully explain the surgery’s possible side effects. The consent form signed by the patient does not prove completely that the woman was made fully aware of the risks.”

The ruling comes amid heightened public concerns over increasing deaths during plastic surgery.

According to the Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency, complaints filed with regards to medical malpractice are on the rise with reported case at 805 in 2014; 737 in 2013; 439 in 2012.

Last year, plastic surgery clinics here reported dozens of deaths of patients who died during operations for nose reshaping, facial re-contouring, and breast enlargement.

Most of them died due to inept responses when the patients’ physical state abruptly changed from stable to showing signs of seizure.

Following mounting public calls, Rep. Choi Dong-ic of the main opposition New Politics alliance for Democracy (NPAD) introduced a bill in January to mandate all clinics be equipped with emergency medical equipment in the operating theater.

In May, the Ministry of Health and Welfare submitted a revision a bill which states that all clinics with over 30 employees be equipped with electrocardiogram monitors, respirators, intubation tubes, and standby electric power sources in case of a power shutdown.