Bangkok/London: British-Nigerian businessman and social media influencer Igho “Tiny” Ubiribo, also known as Denisi or Ego, died after undergoing a cosmetic penis enlargement procedure during a holiday in Thailand. A UK coroner later concluded that the procedure was linked to a fatal pulmonary embolism.
Ubiribo, 43, had travelled to Bangkok with his wife, fashion designer Danielle Simba Allen, when he underwent the procedure at an unnamed clinic on March 5. Details surrounding his death emerged during an inquest at the Inner West London Coroners’ Court.
What Happened During The Procedure?
According to evidence presented at the inquest, approximately 40 millilitres of hyaluronic acid and lidocaine were injected into Ubiribo’s penis as part of the cosmetic treatment.
The procedure was intended to increase penile girth. Such fillers are used as a non-surgical cosmetic alternative, although complications can occur if injectable material enters blood vessels or causes other serious reactions.
After the treatment, Ubiribo and his wife reportedly returned to their Marriott hotel and went for a massage.
It was during the massage that he complained of chest pain and lost consciousness twice.
He Was Rushed To Hospital
Ubiribo was taken by ambulance to Sukhumvit Hospital in Bangkok.
Doctors were reportedly informed that he had recently undergone penile filler injections and suspected that he could be suffering from a pulmonary embolism, a potentially life-threatening condition involving obstruction of blood flow to the lungs.
A CT scan was recommended, but Ubiribo lost consciousness before the scan could be completed.
Medical staff subsequently attempted to resuscitate him for more than 100 minutes, but he died in the early hours of March 6.
What Did The Postmortem Find?
A subsequent postmortem examination in the UK found cellular material in Ubiribo’s lungs that was consistent with the hyaluronic acid used during the procedure.
Pathologist John du Parcq told the inquest that the material found in the lungs matched the substance used in the cosmetic treatment. The findings were consistent with a pulmonary embolism and also aligned with the findings of a Thai autopsy.
The coroner, Jean Harkin, concluded that Ubiribo died from a pulmonary embolism caused by the cosmetic procedure.
What Is A Pulmonary Embolism?
A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood vessel supplying the lungs becomes blocked. It can be life-threatening because the blockage can interfere with blood flow through the lungs and put severe strain on the heart.
In Ubiribo’s case, the inquest heard that material consistent with the injected filler was found in his lungs.
Importantly, the case should not be interpreted as meaning that every hyaluronic-acid filler procedure causes pulmonary embolism. The reported death involved a specific medical complication that was investigated by the coroner.
Why Are Penile Fillers Risky?
Penile filler procedures are marketed as a way to increase girth without conventional surgery. However, injectable cosmetic procedures can carry risks including infection, tissue damage, vascular complications and other potentially serious medical problems.
The exact risks depend on the substance used, injection technique, anatomical location and medical circumstances.
Medical professionals generally stress the importance of having any injectable cosmetic procedure performed by appropriately qualified healthcare professionals in a properly regulated clinical setting.
Who Was Igho “Tiny” Ubiribo?
Ubiribo was known as a businessman and social media personality who frequently showcased a luxury lifestyle online.
Reports said he had approximately 185,000 Instagram followers and was known for sharing content involving luxury properties, travel and his affluent lifestyle. He was also described in reports as an associate of Nigerian Afrobeats star Davido.
His death occurred months before the details became public through the UK inquest.
A Tragic Reminder About Cosmetic Procedures
The case has renewed attention on the risks associated with cosmetic procedures, including treatments that may appear relatively straightforward because they do not involve conventional surgery.
Ubiribo’s case is particularly notable because the complication developed shortly after the procedure and was subsequently linked by the coroner to material used during the treatment.
The incident also highlights why people considering cosmetic procedures should carefully evaluate the qualifications of the practitioner, the clinic’s regulatory status, the substances being injected and the potential complications before undergoing treatment.
Key Details
- Name: Igho “Tiny” Ubiribo
- Age: 43
- Nationality: British-Nigerian
- Location of procedure: Bangkok, Thailand
- Procedure: Penile filler/cosmetic enlargement
- Substances reported: Hyaluronic acid and lidocaine
- Date of procedure: March 5
- Date of death: March 6
- Cause of death: Pulmonary embolism
- Coroner’s finding: Death linked to complications from the cosmetic procedure
The case was investigated through a UK inquest, which concluded that the cosmetic procedure had caused the fatal pulmonary embolism.
