Campaign launched after death of jewellery designer Sandra d'Auriol
Philanthropist Sandra d'Auriol's family want to raise awareness of psychosis after surgery
The family of Hong Kong jewellery designer and philanthropist Sandra d'Auriol, who fell to her death in January while suffering psychosis after cosmetic surgery, are spearheading a campaign to highlight the condition.
They say better awareness of surgical complications that trigger the behaviour could prevent another tragedy.
The 53-year-old plunged to her death from the rooftop of a prestigious Californian medical clinic following 13 hours of cosmetic surgery.
Brother-in-law Guy d'Auriol told the South China Morning Post: "The size of the problem of post-operative psychosis and the lack of awareness really prompted us to do something."
The Los Angeles coroner indicated to the family that she suffered from a post-operative psychotic episode.
The family has set up a website, Post-Operative Neuro-behavioural Disturbance (POND), overseen by Dr Eric Lawes, a British anesthesiologist with 35 years' experience. It is designed to be a "one-stop shop" to share patient testimonials that will shape new medical advice, academic research and better training methods into the disorder.
Lawes said post-operative psychosis could affect anyone without pre-existing medical conditions. He said it was not well understood by the medical profession and the causes were not well known, but were linked to the effects of anaesthesia.