06.11.2026 12:42
In the report by the Ministry of Health Professional Liability Board regarding the death of Hatice Öncü, who became unwell during rhinoplasty surgery in İzmir and died on April 30, it was assessed that there was a lack of care in the management of controlled hypotensive anesthesia. While permission for an investigation was granted regarding the doctor on duty during the post-operative anesthesia process, Remziye Kanak, the mother who lost her daughter, demanded justice.
The Ministry of Health Professional Liability Board has authorized an investigation into the doctor who was on duty during the post-operative anesthesia process regarding the death of Hatice Öncü, who lost her life after rhinoplasty surgery in İzmir.
The family of Hatice Öncü, who became unwell during rhinoplasty surgery on April 22 at a private hospital in Çiğli district and died on April 30, filed a criminal complaint against the hospital, doctors and healthcare personnel they alleged were at fault in the incident, and the Provincial Health Directorate launched an investigation.
The Ministry of Health Professional Liability Board conducted a review and prepared a report within the scope of the investigation conducted by the Karşıyaka Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
LACK OF DUE CARE HIGHLIGHTED IN REPORT
In the report included in the investigation file, it was stated that different factors may be involved in the formation of the cerebrovascular ischemia (a condition in which brain tissue cannot receive normal blood flow and oxygen) and brain edema detected in Öncü, and that there may also be a possibility of an association with the controlled hypotensive anesthesia (controlled blood pressure reduction) administered.
The report also noted that it was assessed that there was a lack of care in the management of the controlled hypotensive anesthesia application.
For this reason, it was decided to grant investigation permission for specialist doctor Ö.Ç.Ü., who was on duty during the post-operative anesthesia process, within the scope of Law No. 4483 on the Trial of Civil Servants and Other Public Officials.
In the autopsy report prepared by the İzmir Group Presidency of the Council of Forensic Medicine, it was stated that it would be appropriate to send the medical documents concerning the surgery and treatment process and the autopsy report to the relevant specialized board of the Istanbul Forensic Medicine Institute in order to obtain an opinion on the cause of death and other matters.
GRIEVING MOTHER: MY EYES ARE ALWAYS ON THE ROAD, AT THE DOOR
Öncü's mother, Remziye Kanak, told the AA correspondent that although months have passed since her daughter's death, her pain has not subsided.
Explaining that she waits for her daughter as if she were going to come, Kanak said:
“She will come out from somewhere and say ‘Mom, I'm here.’ I'm waiting like this, my eyes always on the road, at the door, at the window. I have three more children. I pull myself together for them, I try to stay strong. I didn't just lose my only child; I also lost my friend, my companion. She was my first child. We were always like friends, confidants... My phone no longer rings. (Mom, do you need anything, Mom, what do you need, Mom, where are you?)”
Kanak stated that when her daughter went to the hospital for preoperative tests, she sent a voice recording, and said, “Normally my daughter would call me or send a message. She wasn't a girl who sent voice recordings. She left me a keepsake so I could listen.”
Explaining that her other daughter, Esma, also had rhinoplasty surgery at the same hospital, Kanak said, “She was very excited, very eager, very happy. I always looked after my children. I had no one's support on my shoulders. I was both mother and father on my own. The fire burns where it falls. Our lungs burned and they did nothing. The hospital did not even offer condolences. They were not with us during this process. I want justice. My lungs burned; may no mother's lungs burn. Human life should not be this simple.”
FAMILY OBJECTED TO THE REPORT
The family's lawyer, Betül Dayıbaş, also said that in the board report they saw assessments indicating that although the anesthesia method administered to the patient was known to be a risky method, there were deficiencies in follow-up and care afterward.
Dayıbaş stressed that they objected to the report with respect to the persons for whom no investigation permission was granted.