Safety in aesthetic surgery – are we adhering to national guidelines?

Patient safety remains a fundamental issue in aesthetic surgery. Hippocrates’ dictum, primum non nocere – “first, do no harm" especially relevant surgery, where harm can include morbidity and mortality for patients litigious repercussions the provider. In bid to improve standards safeguard patients, Professor Sir Bruce Keogh led UK's Department of Health Social Care (DHSC) ‘Review Regulation Cosmetic Interventions’, published 2013. 1 CareReview Interventions. 2013https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/review-of-the-regulation-of-cosmetic-interventions Google Scholar The same year, we performed national audit top 50 ranked surgery providers against these DHSC guidelines found sub-optimal levels compliance, albeit were suggested not government policy. 2 Rufai S.R. Davis C.R. Aesthetic Google: ubiquitous, unregulated enticing websites considering cosmetic J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. May 2014; 67 (Epub 2014 Jan 21. PMID: 24525271): 640-643https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2014.01.009 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (23) British Association Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) included our findings their 2013 media campaign safer 3 SurgeonsCosmetic surgery: perks recreation. 2013https://baaps.org.uk/media/press_releases/1397/cosmetic_surgery_not_perks_and_recreation More recently, Royal College (RCS) England ‘Professional Standards Surgery’, with reference review General Medical Council standards. 4 EnglandProfessional Surgery. 2016https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/standards-and-research/standards-and-guidance/service-standards/cosmetic-surgery/professional-standards-for-cosmetic-surgery/ Here, have conducted re-audit clinical marketing practices mirroring original methodology, close loop quantify current practice.