Pixabay/FlickrA man in India has died after suffering complications from a hair transplant.
Shrawan Kumar Choudhary, 43, reportedly died from an extreme allergic reaction, resulting in anaphylactic shock, after undergoing the procedure at a private clinic in Mumbai.
According to doctors, Choudhary had asked for 9,000 grafts in one sitting – the usual amount of grafts in single hair transplant procedure is 3,000. It is currently unclear whether the dermatologist who treated him, Dr Vikas Halwai, agreed to the request.
According to the Times of India, Dr Halwai admitted to police that the patient began to develop complications after 3,700 grafts.
Choudhary, who runs a logistics firm, had apparently not told his family about the hair transplant, and had paid 500,000 rupees (£5,400) for the procedure.
The transplant began on the evening of Thursday, March 7, but by around 2:30am on the Friday the 43-year-old began to suffer from neck pain, for which doctors gave him painkillers and antibiotics.
Shortly afterwards, Choudhary was taken to Global Hospital, in Parel, where he began to develop breathing difficulties.
Choudhary died in Hiranandani Hospital on Saturday, March 9, after a friend took him there when Global Hospital requested he be transferred.
PAThe police have listed Choudhary’s death as accidental, however an investigation into the matter has been launched as no official cause of death has been confirmed just yet. According to doctors, a severe allergic reaction resulting in anaphylactic shock is the most likely explanation.
According to the Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons in India, only a ‘few’ people having hair transplants will suffer complications such as this.
A spokesperson for the association said:
Patients often try to pressure doctors to cover large areas in one sitting. We do not plan more than 2,500-3,000 grafts in one sitting and make sure it is completed in six to eight hours. Prolonged time and extended anaesthesia can compound problems.
Dr Anil Garg, a member of the association, said:
[The] number of hours depend on an individual’s capacity, and may not pose a direct risk to life unless the surgery is not done in a sterile condition. Individual surgeons can do around 2,000 grafts in one sitting, those with more teams can do up to 4,000.
It is reported Choudhary had insisted on having 9,250 grafts in one sitting.
Dr Kapil Bhargava, consultant dermatologist and British Skin Foundation spokesperson, told Mail Online:
This is an exceptional case. The cause of his death needs to be investigated to determine if it is related to the procedure, the medications given or another cause e.g. a pre-existing condition exacerbated by the stress of a prolonged procedure.
It is important to remember that all surgical procedures, including cosmetic procedures, carry risks and further risks may arise when treating complications.
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Charlie Cocksedge is a journalist and sub-editor at UNILAD. He graduated from the University of Manchester with an MA in Creative Writing, where he learnt how to write in the third person, before getting his NCTJ. His work has also appeared in such places as The Guardian, PN Review and the bin.