Rome – She died after liposuction surgery performed in an apartment illegally used as a medical office in the Primavalle neighborhood.
The victim, Ana Sergia Alcivar Chenche, 46, a citizen of Ecuadorian origin, felt ill a few minutes after the procedure began and died in the hospital. The operation was performed by Dr. José Lizárraga Picciotti, 65, a Peruvian citizen with a history of injuries related to similar cases.
The tragic incident occurred on Saturday, June 8, on Via Francesco Roncati. According to investigations coordinated by the Rome Public Prosecutor's Office , the facility had been without a health permit since 2012. The clinic, advertised online as "professional and affordable," was actually a simple apartment where invasive procedures were performed without adequate safety measures. The doctor and two other staff members—an anesthesiologist and a nurse—are now being investigated for manslaughter.
According to an initial reconstruction, the patient lost consciousness almost immediately after the administration of anesthesia, suffering from shock with marked hypotension. The staff attempted resuscitation without immediately calling for help. Only later was a private ambulance contacted and, finally, 118.
The rush to the Policlinico Umberto I, however, proved futile: the woman arrived at the emergency room in cardiac arrest, already intubated and undergoing cardiac massage on board the ambulance. Every attempt to revive her failed.
The apartment was seized by the police. Checks revealed that the last health authorization dates back to 2007 and was valid for five years: the structure had been operating irregularly for over 13 years.
Investigators are now checking whether first aid equipment, such as a defibrillator, was present. The autopsy, ordered by the public prosecutor Andrea D'Angeli, will be performed on Wednesday.
Picciotti's name was already known to law enforcement: in 2006 and 2018 he had been reported by other patients for serious injuries following cosmetic surgery. Despite this, the doctor continued to operate, also promoting himself through social media where he flaunted a wealthy lifestyle, including luxury cars and elite restaurants.
In some videos posted online, he spoke openly about his religious faith and asked for “forgiveness” for his actions.
The death of Ana Sergia Alcivar Chenche is the third, in less than a year, linked to aesthetic procedures that ended tragically. In November 2023, 22-year-old Margaret Spada lost her life during a rhinoplasty, and last March Simonetta Kalfus, 62, also died during liposuction. A sad list that reopens the debate on the safety and regulation of the aesthetic surgery sector.
This article shows a very sad fact. It is incredible how some people can work without authorization, and yet continue to do so. It is important that there are more controls for patient safety in these cases.