Plastic Surgeon Fined for Patient's Death Due to Negligence at Work

A plastic surgeon was fined for neglecting to properly respond to side effects that occurred after administering general anesthesia during surgery, resulting in the patient's death.

On the 7th, Judge Jeong Eui-jeong of the Criminal Division 11 at Gwangju District Court announced that plastic surgeon A (40), who was indicted on charges of professional negligence causing death, violation of the Medical Service Act, and violation of the Narcotics Control Act, was sentenced to a fine of 18 million won.

A was charged with failing to fulfill professional duties while performing a rhinoplasty surgery on patient B on March 25, 2021, at a plastic surgery clinic operating room in Gwangju Metropolitan City, administering general anesthesia (propofol), which led to hypoxic brain injury and caused B's death on April 12.

At the time, A failed to continuously monitor for hypotension, apnea, and oxygen desaturation, which resulted in not immediately recognizing B's cardiac arrest and neglecting emergency treatment.

A also neglected the duty to properly maintain the airway and ensure the oxygen supply device was functioning normally.

A is also accused of administering propofol to victims in May and November 2019 without recording the name and quantity of the psychotropic drug in the medical records.

Judge Jeong stated, "A's medical negligence caused a serious outcome resulting in B's death. It is necessary to impose strict responsibility for a doctor's neglect of professional duty."

However, the judge added, "Considering that A largely admitted to the crime, a letter requesting no punishment was submitted through settlement, and it is difficult to view the failure to record the administration details in the medical records as intentional, these factors were comprehensively taken into account in determining the sentence."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.