2018 Apgujeong Plastic Surgery Nose Surgery Death

Incident Overview

In 2018, a 26-year-old university student died during rhinoplasty (nose surgery) at a plastic surgery clinic in Apgujeong, Gangnam, Seoul.

Reported Details

  • Patient: Lee (surname), 26 years old, university student
  • Procedure: Rhinoplasty under anesthesia
  • Complication: Blood pressure suddenly dropped after anesthesia was administered
  • Response Issues:
    • CPR was performed with one hand only
    • Surgeon stood with arms crossed during emergency
    • Nurses were seen laughing on CCTV during the incident
    • Hospital called 119 only 30 minutes after the emergency began
  • Outcome: Patient fell into brain death and eventually died

CCTV Evidence

The case gained attention when CCTV footage from the operating room was released, showing:

  • Improper one-handed CPR technique
  • Surgeon standing idly with arms crossed
  • Staff appearing unconcerned about the emergency
  • 30-minute delay before calling emergency services

Important Disclaimer

This information is based on publicly available news reports from 2018. The final outcome of legal proceedings should be verified through official sources.

Sources

  • JTBC 뉴스룸 - "압구정 성형외과서 코 수술 받던 대학생 사망"
  • 부산일보 (busan.com) - News coverage
  • 메디컬투데이 (mdtoday.co.kr) - "심폐소생술 중에도 의사는 태연"