A third malpractice complaint has been filed against Nicaraguan doctor Livang Argüello Molina, who is already serving a two-year prison sentence for reckless injury and under investigation for a patient death. The new case involves an 18-year-old woman who developed aspiration pneumonia after a liposculpture procedure in September 2024. The Ministry of Health has revoked his license to practice any medical procedures, signaling heightened regulatory scrutiny that overseas aesthetic buyers and distributors should monitor for compliance and liability risks.
New complaint details
Dina Mejía Obregón told Canal 10 that Argüello Molina scheduled her for an abdominal and waist liposculpture at Clínica Amate in Managua on September 12, 2024. She traveled from Juigalpa to the clinic for the procedure, which cost USD 2,935. According to her testimony, the operating room was a small room with a stretcher, and initially no anesthesiologist was present. She informed the doctor she had asthma and had not undergone anesthetic evaluation, but he assured her there was no risk.
Procedure complications
During the surgery, the patient began coughing persistently. The anesthesiologist, identified as Dr. Sánchez, administered hydrocortisone and two nebulizations with saline and ipratropium bromide. The procedure was suspended because the clinic lacked intubation equipment. Mejía Obregón was diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia after leaving the clinic. She reported chest pain, bleeding, and limited arm and back movement, and now requires psychiatric medication for trauma.
Regulatory and channel signals
The Ministry of Health (MINSA) has permanently disqualified Argüello Molina from performing any medical procedures and canceled his health code. The Attorney General's Office confirmed he lacks accreditation in plastic, aesthetic, or reconstructive surgery. He is listed only as an assistant at Centro Médico Quirúrgico Privado Bethesda in Ciudad Sandino. This case underscores the importance of verifying practitioner credentials and clinic accreditation for aesthetic device and consumable suppliers.
Previous convictions and investigations
Argüello Molina was sentenced to two years in prison for reckless injury to Yulianov Carolina Samayoa Morales after a November 2024 lipopapada procedure caused burns, inflammation, and infection due to improper equipment use. He is also under investigation for the death of Jennifer Elizabeth Reyes Castro, a 24-year-old who died after a liposculpture with gluteal fat transfer in May 2024, which allegedly involved a lung perforation. The doctor was arrested alongside three other healthcare professionals in that case.
What buyers should watch
For overseas importers and distributors of aesthetic devices, injectables, and clinic consumables, this case highlights the critical need for due diligence on end-user credentials and facility standards. Suppliers should ensure their distribution agreements include clauses requiring compliance with local licensing and safety regulations. The revocation of Argüello Molina's license may also affect the market for aesthetic equipment in Nicaragua, as clinics face tighter enforcement and potential liability for unaccredited practitioners.
Source: Read the original report | Published: May 31, 2026