7-Year-Old Girl Dies of Cardiac Arrest During Dental Surgery Under General Anesthesia in Turkey

A seven-year-old girl named Ela Kocacogur died after suffering cardiac arrest during a dental procedure under general anesthesia at a private hospital in Isparta, Turkey. Ela underwent treatment on July 3 to receive eight dental fillings in a single session due to her young age and fear of dental work. The procedure was performed under general anesthesia, but her heart stopped while still in the operating room. Despite immediate resuscitation efforts by medical staff, she could not be saved.

Following the incident, Ela's family filed an official complaint with the prosecutor's office, prompting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Concerns were raised by the family and their lawyer regarding whether all necessary pre-anesthesia tests, including allergy and blood tests, were properly conducted, the dosage of anesthesia administered, and if a qualified anesthesiologist was present throughout the procedure as required by Turkish medical regulations.

The private hospital issued a statement asserting that all medical protocols were followed and described the cardiac arrest as an unforeseeable complication. The case has sparked a broader debate in Turkey about the safety of performing extensive dental treatments on young children under general anesthesia in private hospitals. Some experts argue that such complex procedures should be conducted in specialized hospitals equipped with dedicated pediatric emergency teams.

Ela was a second-grade student from Bordur in southwestern Turkey. The president of the Isparta Dental Association, Naim Shaniort, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and confirmed that legal and professional investigations are underway, with potential disciplinary actions if negligence is found.