"Liposuction death" inquest opens
Posted: 17 October 2011 1926 hrs
SINGAPORE: The liposuction procedure conducted on Franklin Heng, who headed property firm YTL Pacific Star, was not performed in a manner that was acceptable in ensuring patient safety.
Mr Heng died following the procedure.
Dr Vincent Yeow, who heads the Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Department at KK Women's and Children's Hospital, gave the expert opinion at an inquest into Mr Heng's death.
Mr Heng, who was 44, underwent the procedure at Reves Clinic on 30 December 2009.
It was performed by Dr Jim Wong, a general practitioner.
The inquest heard that Mr Heng suffered multiple penetrating wounds to his intestines and stomach following the procedure.
Senior Investigation Officer Acting Inspector Lim Chee Peng told the court the damage to the intestines could have caused Mr Heng to go into shock before he died later that day.
Dr Yeow said he felt that a perforation of the bowel can be attributed to "extremely poor technique and inexperience".
He added it was "highly likely" that Mr Heng was deeply sedated almost to the point of general anaesthesia with inadequate monitoring.
A total of 17 witnesses will be giving their testimonies during the inquest, which will be held until 4 November.
The hearing continues.
- CNA/wk
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