Doctor faces manslaughter charge in cosmetic surgery death
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A Portland doctor whose patient died following a late-night cosmetic surgery has been indicted on a manslaughter charge.
Dr. Soraya Abbassian pleaded not guilty at Tuesday's arraignment. She has been released from the Multnomah County jail on $50,000 bail.
The Oregon Medical Board suspended Abbassian shortly after the 59-year-old patient died in December 2010.
The board's emergency order said Abbassian attempted the procedure with no support staff present, and the clinic was not equipped to handle a medical emergency.
The woman, Judith Desmarets, complained of chest pain and shortness of breath after Abbassian administered a local anesthetic in the abdomen area. She suffered a seizure, lost consciousness and died four days later at a Portland hospital.
The patient was a friend of the doctor and an employee.
