Young mum Marilha Menezes Antunes, 28, dies after liposuction operation in fast turnaround clinic in Brazil
A 28-year-old woman who was given liposuction as a birthday present died after suffering complications during surgery at a clinic that rents space to doctors to carry out operations.
Victim Marilha Menezes Antunes was undergoing liposuction with a buttock graft at Amacor Hospital in Campo Grande, Brazil, on Monday afternoon (September 8).
Her sister, Lea Carolina, said she watched the surgery with her father. After about three hours, she noticed unusual movement among the team and heard a nurse calling for an ambulance. Her sister told police that she saw the doctor trying to revive Marilha and said she had to call paramedics herself.
According to reports, the doctor informed officers that the patient suffered bronchoaspiration followed by cardiorespiratory arrest.
Paramedics confirmed they were called at 6.13pm and said despite resuscitation efforts, the patient did not survive.
Relatives said Marilha had the surgery as a birthday present after turning 28 on September 1. She worked as an occupational safety technician at an aviation company and had a six-year-old son.
Family members accused the clinic of negligence, saying it lacked adequate emergency equipment and that medical staff delayed calling the Mobile Emergency Care Service (SAMU).
Relatives also claimed an organ had been punctured during the surgery, causing internal bleeding.
The case was registered at the 35th DP (Campo Grande) and forwarded to the Consumer Police Station (Decon), which is leading the investigation. The Consumer Protection Department inspected the facility and reported finding expired materials.
Amacor issued a statement saying it operates as a "One Day Clinic" and that procedures are carried out by outsourced medical teams renting the facilities.
It said the surgical centre is equipped with all essential equipment for cardiovascular and respiratory emergencies, including a biphasic defibrillator and a cardiopulmonary arrest cart. The clinic stated that resuscitation manoeuvres began immediately according to Advanced Cardiac Life Support protocols, and that it is cooperating with authorities.
Story: NewsX