Plastic surgery negligence continues to be a widespread concern in the United Kingdom, following the July death of Denise Hendry, wife of Colin Hendry, a former Scotland soccer player.
Although the cosmetic surgery industry is flourishing in the UK, its reputation is far from pristine. Physician negligence is once again top of mind following the death last month of Denise Hendry some seven years after a botched liposuction procedure.
According to a study by market research company Mintel, the cosmetic surgery industry in the United Kingdom has grown nearly ten-fold since 2002, when it was valued at 143 million pounds. As of this year, the research shows, the industry is estimated to be worth 1.2 billion pounds.
But it was in 2002 when Denise Hendry underwent liposuction and then experienced several complications through the years that resulted in more than 20 additional surgeries. During her final surgery this past May, she went into a coma and was later taken off life support.
The rising demand for plastic surgery in the United Kingdom clearly is the driving force behind the industry’s tremendous leap – but this also has led to an increase in unsuccessful operations and patients who complain of malpractice.
British sources speculate that these problems may come from a lack of proper regulation among practicing cosmetic surgeons. Procedures such as Botox injections and dermal fillers are presently not subject to government regulation in the United Kingdom. What’s more, surgeons who don’t specialize chiefly in cosmetic surgery are still permitted to perform it.
In response to public concern, the UK charity Action Against Medical Accidents is said to be developing an independent group that will scrutinize the actual success rate among surgeons who carry out cosmetic surgeries.
The new initiative from Action Against Medical Accidents is designed to give prospective patients a better idea of what to expect from a cosmetic surgery procedure. The group will also make support available for people who suffer complications after undergoing these operations.
E. Antonio Mangubat, MD responded:
This obviously is a case of a procedure run-amuck. I am particularly distressed to read:
“Denise Hendry underwent liposuction and then experienced several complications through the years that resulted in more than 20 additional surgeries. During her final surgery this past May, she went into a coma and was later taken off life support.â€
We are obviously not getting the entire story. Having performed thousands of liposuction procedures, I’m having a difficult time determining what liposuction complication would require 20 additional surgeries to correct. In order to be truly objective, we readers need more information. What if Ms. Henry had a devastating complication like a fleshing-eating infection called necrotizing fasciitis. This disease is terrible, reuires many operations to repair, and in most cases, it cannot be predicted nor avoided. While the incident may be true, the way in which it was reported often leads to inflammatory conclusions.
In the field of cosmetic surgery, patients need to become educated consumers; to ask the right questions about their doctor’s education, training, and experience in the specific procedure of interest. These 3 items play the biggest role in minimizing and preventing poor outcomes.
Cosmetic surgery is rapidly evolving field. There are few if any traditional residency training programs that provide adequate cosmetic surgery training and most physicians wishing to enter the field elect to engage in additional fellowship training. A specialist in facial reconstruction does not translate into a competent specialist in cosmetic face-lifting or nose reshaping.
So regardless of stated specialty, each prospective patient must know their surgeon’s education, training and experience in the specific procedure they wish to have. It is clear that education on the parts of the both the physician and patient, is the key to avoiding the disasters that have been reported here.
Deborah responded:
The problem is that all of these board certified plastic surgeons have huge egos and they want to be wealthy. They will tell you how great they are how experienced they are how safe the procedure is etc etc. I was horribly disfigured by improper injection of sculptra. in the wrong hands this is a very dangerous product. but if the guy is a board certified FACS plastic surgeon and he sells you. you are pretty screwed if he messes up. I made a web site http://www.sculptradamage.com because I have learned I am not alone and that adverse events are pretty high with this product. You cant know how good a doctor is until you have experienced it.