Tragic news emerged on Thursday, August 31, regarding the passing of Argentine actress Silvina Luna. At the age of 43, she succumbed to health complications stemming from kidney failure that had afflicted her since 2011, following a surgery performed by the cosmetic surgeon Aníbal Lotocki. The sorrowful announcement was confirmed on social media by her attorney, Fernando Burlando. This news came just two weeks after the death of another of Lotocki’s patients, Mariano Caprarola, who also suffered from acute kidney failure.
Burlando conveyed his sentiments, expressing the pain of this unfortunate ending and deeming it a regrettable and unworthy outcome. He hoped that Silvina Luna’s battle would bring attention to both the justice system and society at large, with the goal of preventing further tragedies. Burlando extended his condolences to Luna’s family, recognizing their unwavering support and resilience. He concluded with a heartfelt wish for Silvina Luna’s soul.
Silvina Luna’s passing occurred while she was awaiting a kidney transplant in an Italian hospital. Throughout her journey with dialysis, she had been sharing her experiences on social media, up until her final post on June 5th. Regrettably, she spent her last 79 days in the intensive care unit and contracted COVID-19 during her hospitalization. Burlando revealed that Luna had been fiercely battling for her life, and it was an agonizing decision to disconnect her from life support.
What transpired in Luna’s life is profoundly tragic. She first gained public recognition when she participated in Big Brother 2 in 2001, harboring dreams of pursuing a career as a model and actress. In 2011, she opted for cosmetic surgery, a decision believed to be the origin of her subsequent health struggles. The procedure in question involved her buttocks and was performed by Aníbal Lotocki, who injected her with polymethylmethacrylate, a synthetic polymer unfit for such procedures. This substance is commonly used in non-medical applications like automotive parts, optical lenses, and more. Its injection in cosmetic surgery is highly inappropriate and dangerous.
Burlando aptly likened this treatment to “putting stones and sand into an engine that requires lubrication.” In 2015, Luna was hospitalized due to kidney stones, leading to a diagnosis of renal insufficiency and hypercalcemia. She was subsequently prescribed dialysis treatment three times a week, awaiting a kidney transplant.
Regarding the fate of Silvina Luna’s surgeon, Aníbal Lotocki, he received a four-year prison sentence and a five-year disqualification from practicing medicine in February 2022. However, at present, he remains at liberty, awaiting a review of his sentence by the National Chamber of Criminal Cassation.
Tragically, Silvina Luna is not the only individual to have lost their life following surgeries performed by Lotocki. Mariano Caprarola, who passed away on August 17 at the age of 48, also succumbed to kidney failure, just like Luna. Caprarola, a former panelist on La Jaula de la Moda, had undergone cosmetic surgery with Lotocki in 2010.
In addition to these unfortunate deaths, another individual named Rodolfo Cristian Zárate passed away from cardiac arrest while undergoing a procedure in Lotocki’s clinic in 2021, at the age of 50. Calls have reportedly been made to reinvestigate his death.
Several others who have allegedly suffered harm at the hands of Lotocki but survived include Gabriela Trenchi, who underwent buttock surgery in 2015, Fran Mariano, Virginia Gallardo, Stefania Xípokitakis, and his former partner, Pamela Sosa.
