Two plastic surgeons in Paris have been suspended after a billionaire bodybuilder tragically died during a penis enlargement procedure.
Toronto Sun reported on Friday that Ehud Arye Laniado, 65, suffered a heart attack while receiving injections at the Saint-Honoré-Ponthieu clinic, as reported by Le Parisien.
The primary surgeon, referred to only as “Guy H.,” was originally investigated for manslaughter, but prosecutors later changed the charges to failure to assist a person in danger, drug offences, and practicing medicine without a licence.
Investigators found that Laniado, the owner and founder of Omega Diamonds, had been taking banned substances and medications intended to combat erectile dysfunction in the lead-up to his death.
The Day of the Incident
Emergency services were first called to the clinic around 8 p.m. on March 2, 2019. One of the defendants testified in court that the initial call was made at Laniado’s insistence, with the patient claiming he was experiencing abdominal pains.
The Belgian-Israeli businessman, known for frequent visits to the clinic for expensive procedures, chose to proceed with the surgery despite his complaints.
Two hours later, emergency crews were called again after Laniado suffered a fatal heart attack.
A judicial source told Le Parisien that the injection was quickly ruled out as the cause of the patient’s death.
“It’s easy to say in hindsight that the heart attack started (at the 8 p.m. call), but since the patient had an ulcer, it was impossible to consider a heart problem, and emergency services wouldn’t have been called out for such a minor issue,” the source explained.
Cause of Death: Cardiac Hypertrophy
An autopsy revealed that Laniado died from cardiac hypertrophy. A search of his hotel room found that he had been taking multiple substances banned in France, as well as vasodilators to assist with erections. These substances are believed to have contributed to his death, according to a judicial source.
Regarding the doctors involved, it was discovered that the assistant surgeon, whose name has not been disclosed, was not registered with the French Medical Association despite working in France for over 20 years. Additionally, her medical degrees obtained in Algeria were not recognised in the country.
Consequences of the Case
Guy H. has been suspended for 15 months, while the assistant surgeon, who was covering for him during the procedure, received a 12-month suspension. Both doctors, now in their 70s, were also fined €50,000 (approximately CDN$80,000) and €20,000 (approximately CDN$32,000), respectively.
“It’s a sober, clear, and calming decision,” stated Guy H.’s lawyer in response to the ruling. “There was something futile and sad about trying to find someone responsible at all costs, following a purely accidental death.”
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