Brazilian police arrest 'Dr Bumbum' after patient dies

Denis Cesar Barros Furtado is escorted by police after his arrest. Photo / AP

Police in Brazil have arrested celebrity plastic surgeon Denis Cesar Barros Furtado, five days after he went on the run following the death of a patient he gave injections to enlarge her buttocks.

Known as "Dr Bumbum" - Brazilian slang for backside - Furtado was arrested at an office complex in Rio de Janeiro's Barra de Tijuca neighbourhood. Police also arrested his mother, Maria de Fatima Barros, who worked with him.

Police said Furtado performed the enhancement procedure on bank manager Lilian Calixto at his Rio home on Saturday. Calixto fell ill during the procedure and Furtado rushed her to a nearby hospital, where she died hours later.

Police say the exact cause of her death has not been determined.

Furtado disappeared after he dropped Calixto off at the hospital and a judge issued a warrant for his arrest.

After his arrest, Furtado told reporters he was innocent of any wrongdoing. "There was an occurrence with the patient," he said.

In a video aired by the G1 news portal, Furtado said, "A fatality has occurred - a fatality that could happen to any doctor." G1 said the video was posted on a social media site after Furtado's arrest.

The doctor's lawyer, Naiara Baldanza, said in a statement, "Any conclusion regarding the death of Lilian Calixto and my client's responsibility in this fatality is premature."

- AP