Claims Ireland

Woman almost died of infection she suffered after breast operation

25-May-2011

A young woman who almost died following a breast augmentation job had to have nine procedures and skin grafts to correct the damage.

Kate Murray (25) from Dun Laoghaire spent a month in hospital suffering from septic shock and advanced cellulitis as a result of a post-operative infection.

The breast augmentation procedure, which cost her €5,800, was carried out at the Cosmedico Clinic in Kilmacanogue, Co Wicklow on March 15, 2008.

Within days she began to suffer severe pain and oozing of fluid from her wounds and made repeated visits to the clinic before the implants were removed on March 31.

Yesterday, a medical fitness to practice committee of the Medical Council recommended that the doctor who carried out her silicon double breast implants -- Italian plastic surgeon Dr Marco Loiacano -- be struck off after finding him guilty of 14 counts of professional misconduct in her treatment and care.

The committee also recommended that all clinics that performed plastic surgery should attain standards of pre and post operative care as defined by the Medical Council.

It is the second time in a year that Dr Loiacano has been found guilty of professional misconduct following a similar case involving a breast implant procedure carried out on another woman in 2006.

Ms Murray shed tears after yesterday's finding and her mother Caroline said the decision would bring some closure for Kate and would help her to move on.

Dr Loiacano, who left Cosmedico in September 2009, was not at yesterday's hearing despite extensive efforts by the Medical Council to find him in Italy. He is believed to be practising in Rome.