Australian woman dies after cosmetic surgery in Ho Chi Minh City

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health said on Tuesday that it had inspected City International Hospital and asked the facility to convene a professional council to examine the case.

The patient, born in 1961, was transferred to Gia Dinh People’s Hospital on September 20 in critical condition and died two days later despite intensive treatment.

According to City International Hospital, she underwent a breast lift with breast implant placement on September 4 and was discharged the following day.

She was readmitted on September 9 for liposuction of the abdomen, flanks, and waist, combined with abdominoplasty.

Her medical records showed several risk factors, including hypertension, obesity, and sleep apnea requiring the use of a CPAP machine at home.

During postoperative monitoring, she developed shortness of breath, abdominal distension, and worsening pain.

Doctors later detected a perforated sigmoid diverticulum and localized peritonitis, and performed emergency surgery on September 19.

Her condition continued to deteriorate after the operation.

City International Hospital then consulted doctors from Gia Dinh People’s Hospital, provided intensive resuscitation, initiated bedside veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or VV-ECMO, and transferred her for further specialized treatment.

She died on September 22.

The city’s health department said the professional council will include specialists in surgery and plastic surgery and will review the patient’s medical records, clinical progression, and treatment process.

Authorities said any violations identified during the review would be handled in accordance with the law.

The department also reminded cosmetic surgery providers to strengthen preoperative screening, particularly for patients with underlying conditions or risk factors such as obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory disorders.

Medical facilities were urged to closely monitor patients after surgery, promptly identify abnormal signs, and arrange consultations or transfers when complications exceed their treatment capacity.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health said it would step up inspections of facilities performing cosmetic surgery to ensure compliance with professional regulations and patient-safety requirements.