Oregon doctor charged with manslaughter after friend dies from tummy tuck procedure

Dr. Soraya Abbassian faces charges stemming from allegations that employees she operated on either died or suffered complications.

/ KOIN

(CBS News) A Portland doctor is facing charges after one of her patients, who happened to be her employee and friend, died from an after-hours tummy tuck procedure. Another employee who went under her knife also reported concerning health conditions after her surgery.

Dr. Soraya Abbassian, who was licensed in internal medicine and not in surgery, has plead not guilty to one count of second-degree manslaughter and one count of reckless endangering, according to CBS affiliate KOIN in Portland, Ore. Her medical license has since been suspended by the Oregon State Medical Board.

Board records state Abbassian performed surgery on Judith Ann DesMarets - a hospice nurse at Abbassian's Northeast Portland - without a medical staff at 10 p.m. on Dec.15, 2010, OregonLive reported. Abbassian herself administered a local anesthesia into the patient's abdomen. That's when DesMarets began complaining of chest pain and shortness of breath. DesMarets then had a seizure and became unconscious.

Abbassian performed 15 chest compressions but soon called 911. She admitted to dispatchers that she did not have the necessary equipment in case of a medical emergency and did not have any medication to counteract an allergic reaction or overdose of anesthesia. DesMarets died four days later at Portland Adventist Medical Center, from a brain injury due to lack of oxygen and complications from anesthesia use.

A second woman who underwent a procedure between July 2010 and September 2010 with Abbassian reported experiencing dizziness and a rapid heartbeat afterward, OregonLive said.

The state has alleged that Abbassian "failed to conduct an appropriate and sufficient medical evaluation" in the manslaughter case and caused "substantial risk" in the reckless endangering case, according to KOIN. They also found that Abbassian had performed other treatments on other employees and often prescribed medications to employees and their family members without keeping accurate records, OregonLive reported. As payment, she was given money and employees offered to do chores for her, such as babysitting, running household errands or driving her and her family around. The doctor also performed surgical procedures on herself.

< p="">

Abbassian was arraigned on Aug. 28 in Multnomah County Circuit Court and was released on $50,000 bail. She will be allowed to live in Pennsylvania while the investigation is ongoing.

Oregon State Medical Board executive director Kathleen Haley told KOIN that the case is "very unfortunate and rare," adding that in the last 18 years this is only the second time something similar to this has happened in Oregon.

"The essence was she was really trying to help people, and do it as a friend, but obviously, one has to have professional judgment and training for this sort of thing," Haley said to OregonLive.

<>

[smitasharma54]

So I am having tummy tuck, liposuction, and breast implant surgery on June 18th. I spoke with the doctors office today and the said the best thing to wear is a mu-mu!!! OK so I laughed but they were serious. I was thinking on wear really loose capris and a tank top but they said it would not work. I want to hear from other people who have had this procedure done and what kind of clothes they wore directly after the surgery and for like the first week.

[jmbrng]

Did you idiots ever consider you are only hearing one side of the story? You might wait for the trial before forming an opion!

[matt6052]

You needn't be a cardiologist to perform CPR, so the fact she was licensed in internal medicine but performing surgery isn't a clear indicator that she was doing something illegal. Maybe it was ill-advised, but that's a different question.

Beyond that, physicians and other professionals have always accepted barter for services.

[Former_Marine_Sgt]

Did you read the story for comprehension or did you just skim it? ALL of the items in the excerpts from the story ARE VIOLATIONS OF THE STANDARDS OF PRACTICE FOR A DOCTOR. They aren't going after her for bartering. They're going after her for an absolute failure to do her job with any regard for doing it right and complete and abject failure to meet proper standards of care.

"Abbassian performed surgery on Judith Ann DesMarets - a hospice nurse at Abbassian's Northeast Portland - without a medical staff"

"She admitted to dispatchers that she did not have the necessary equipment in case of a medical emergency and did not have any medication to counteract an allergic reaction or overdose of anesthesia"

"The state has alleged that Abbassian "failed to conduct an appropriate and sufficient medical evaluation" in the manslaughter case and caused "substantial risk" in the reckless endangering case, according to KOIN. They also found that Abbassian had performed other treatments on other employees and often prescribed medications to employees and their family members without keeping accurate records,"

[ksmit2]

True. This lady shouldn't have been performing these procedures.
The other problem is, that these patients knew for a fact that this
doctor was not a surgeon, yet they were willing to put themselves at
risk. There are also internists and family medicine doctors around the
country who perform endoscopy's when they actually should be performed
by a gastroenterologist. Yes, it may not be the same risk as having
surgery per se, but if an under trained, non specialist performs a
scope and misses a cancerous polyp or similar lesion, there will be
a problem down the road. Folks, if you're going through the hassle
of having a procedure done, even though it doesn't seem like a big
deal, make sure to select someone who does that on a regular basis,
ask questions.

[nohater]

she should lose her license to practice permanently. wonder where she went to medical school? if it were my decision, she would be executed. fortunately for her, it's not my decision. she is less than a pile of horse pucky. horses all over the world please forgive the comparision.

[magnumdr]

So much for the oath these Doctors take.