Australian woman dies after cosmetic surgery at HCMC international hospital

A 65-year-old Australian woman has died following cosmetic surgery at City International Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City's An Lac Ward, the municipal Department of Health has confirmed.

According to a hospital report cited by the department, the patient underwent a breast lift and implant placement on Sept. 4 and was discharged the following day. She was readmitted four days later for an abdominoplasty and liposuction of the abdomen, flanks, and waist.

Medical records indicate the patient had several underlying risk factors, including hypertension, obesity, and sleep apnea. To manage the apnea, she regularly used a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine at home to maintain open airways while sleeping.

During postoperative monitoring for her second round of procedures, the patient developed breathing difficulties, abdominal distension, and escalating pain. Doctors diagnosed her with a perforated sigmoid colon diverticulum and localized peritonitis.

She underwent emergency surgery on Sept. 19 but her condition continued to deteriorate. After receiving intensive care, including VV-ECMO life support, she was transferred to Gia Dinh People's Hospital, where she died on Sept. 22.

The Department of Health has directed City International Hospital to establish a professional council to comprehensively review the patient's medical records, clinical progression, and treatment process.

Following the incident, the department issued a reminder to all cosmetic surgery facilities regarding patient safety. Clinics are required to conduct thorough preoperative risk assessments, particularly for patients with conditions like obesity, hypertension, or cardiovascular and respiratory issues.

Facilities are also required to closely monitor patients post-surgery to promptly detect abnormalities. If complications exceed a clinic's treatment capacity, staff must proactively consult specialists or transfer patients to higher-level hospitals.

Tools for surgery at a hospital in HCMC. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran

This incident follows several recent cosmetic surgery-related fatalities in Ho Chi Minh City.

In May 2024, a 64-year-old Vietnamese-American woman died more than a month after undergoing multiple procedures, including liposuction, abdominal reconstruction, and breast-implant replacement. She fell into a coma two days post-surgery, with doctors citing complications such as blood clots, septic shock, and multiple organ failure.

Later in 2024, a 33-year-old woman died the same night she underwent rhinoplasty and silicone fillers at a local beauty clinic. Her initial cause of death was determined to be anaphylactic shock resulting in multiple organ failure, suspected to be an adverse reaction to anesthesia.

In 2025, a 32-year-old woman died from circulatory and respiratory failure during breast augmentation and liposuction at another HCMC hospital. Five surgical team members were arrested later for alleged medical malpractice and violations of treatment regulations.