Surgeons Prohibited from Practicing Following Billionaire's Death During Surgery

Two surgeons have been barred from practicing plastic surgery after a wealthy patient died during a penis enlargement operation.

Ehud Arye Laniado, a 65-year-old Belgian-Israeli diamond trader, passed away from a heart attack while undergoing the procedure at the Saint-Honore- Ponthieu aesthetic clinic in Paris.

The leading surgeon, referred to as Guy H, was accustomed to serving affluent clients, with Laniado visiting him for treatments two to four times each year, involving costs of tens of thousands of euros.

Laniado, the proprietor of Omega Diamonds, had been receiving penile injections aimed at enhancing its size.

Following his death, an investigation was launched, initially considering manslaughter charges. It later evolved into allegations of failing to assist a person in danger, drug violations, and practicing medicine without the proper credentials.

On Wednesday, a Paris court suspended Guy H's medical license and imposed a 15-month prison term. The second surgeon, who had been substituting for Guy H on the night of Laniado's death, received a 12-month suspended sentence.

Both have now faced permanent disqualification from medical practice and are required to pay fines of €50,000 (£43,323) and €20,000 (£17,329), respectively, according to reports from Le Parisien.

A source revealed, "During the investigation into the cause of death, the injection into the penis was quickly discounted as a factor. The issue arose of why the surgeon made a first call for help at 8 PM, only to contact the fire department two hours later."

The defendants initially stated that the first call was prompted by Laniado's irritable demeanor as he insisted on proceeding with the injections despite expressing abdominal pain.

The source continued, "In hindsight, it may seem that the heart attack initiated there, but with the patient's ulcer history, the idea of a heart issue was hard to entertain, and emergency services wouldn't have responded to what could be perceived as a minor concern."

While the surgeon attempted CPR, it was unsuccessful in saving Laniado. His lawyer, Martin Reynaud, commented, "This cardiac event could have occurred anywhere, even in a pizzeria. Would the pizza chef face charges in such a scenario?"

Despite the tragic circumstances of the death, an anonymous Paris-based practitioner noted that the event was not entirely unexpected, stating, "This will create a stir in a clinic that prides itself on its reputation and practices, but this situation will not shock anyone; in high-end cosmetic surgery, rules are often bent."