A nursing assistant died on the operating table at a shopping centre clinic while undergoing a procedure to remove toxic fillers from her buttocks. Paula Andrea Beltrán Sandoval, 41, suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest about 70 minutes into the surgery on June 18 at a clinic inside the El Tesoro shopping centre in Medellín, Colombia.
Resuscitation Efforts and Death
Despite advanced resuscitation attempts, including electric shocks, for more than 40 minutes, Ms Sandoval was pronounced dead inside the operating theatre. She had no known pre-existing medical conditions, according to reports.
Background and Risks of Biopolymers
Ms Sandoval travelled from New York, where she lived and worked, to Medellín, her place of origin, for the removal procedure. She had developed health problems linked to her original biopolymer injections. Biopolymer injections for cosmetic purposes are banned under Colombian law and are not approved for cosmetic improvements in the UK due to severe risks, including necrosis, migration, and sepsis.
Cost and Investigation
The operation cost 38,000,000 Colombian Pesos, equivalent to approximately £8,335. An investigation has been launched into Ms Sandoval's death. Health authorities are reviewing the clinic's records, operating licences, and staff qualifications. Forensic specialists at the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences will conduct a post-mortem examination to establish the exact cause of death.
The case remains under active investigation pending the results of the post-mortem.
