Unattractive consequences: litigation from facial dermabrasion and chemical peels.

BACKGROUND: Facial dermabrasion and chemical peel are common cosmetic procedures that are generally safe yet do possess inherent risks. The patient's expectations, formed well in advance of treatment, strongly correlate with overall satisfaction. OBJECTIVES: The authors reviewed and analyzed litigation related to the performance of facial dermabrasion and chemical peel. METHODS: The authors searched the WestlawNext legal database for relevant litigation and examined factors such as allegations raised, patient demographics, defendant specialties, final outcomes, and payments. RESULTS: Proceedings from 25 cases were analyzed, involving 22 female and 2 male plaintiffs; in 1 case, sex was not specified. Sixteen cases (64%) resulted in a decision for the defendant and 9 (36%) were resolved with payments. The median difference between out-of-court settlements (median, $940 000) and jury-awarded damages (median, $535 000) was not statistically significant. Factors raised in litigation included poor cosmetic outcome (80%), alleged intratreatment negligence (68%), permanent injury (64%), informed-consent deficits (60%), emotional/psychological injury (44%), posttreatment negligence (32%), and the need for additional treatment/surgery (32%). CONCLUSIONS: Out-of-court settlements and jury-awarded damages were considerable in cases where physicians practicing various (or multiple) specialties were named as defendants. These findings emphasize the need for physicians to thoroughly document potential complications prior to treatment, during the informed-consent process. Additionally, general considerations should be taken into account, such as patient expectations and the potential need for other procedures, which may enhance pretreatment communication and ultimately minimize liability. Finally, it is important to stress that physicians may be held liable for procedures performed by nonphysician ancillary staff.

Impact of the current economy on facial aesthetic surgery.

BACKGROUND: American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) survey data showed a 16.7% decrease in the total number of aesthetic surgical procedures from 2008 to 2009, whereas plastic surgeons have seen an increase of 0.6% in their nonsurgical cosmetic procedures. OBJECTIVE: The authors describe the results of two surveys-one administered to potential patients, one to physicians-assessing the impact of the economy on patient choices in aesthetic facial surgery. METHODS: Two surveys were conducted for this study-one from the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (AAFPRS) and one from the Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation (ASERF). Both surveys utilized the unique maximum difference (MaxDiff) scaling format, which assesses respondent opinions through attribute/question grouping and multiple exposures to the same parameter, rather than traditional one-time questioning. In this way, MaxDiff analysis helped identify the varied drivers of patients' medical antiaging treatment (MAT) selection. The AAFPRS survey was conducted online through Synovate's Global Opinion Panel to identify an appropriate audience of potential patients. The ASERF survey contained both MaxDiff and traditional questions and was e-mailed to 2267 ASAPS members. RESULTS: Data from the AAFPRS patient survey showed that 53% of respondents had been affected by the economy in their decisions regarding MAT procedures, with many seeking out less-costly options such as microdermabrasion. An overwhelming majority (95%) also reported that they would prefer a longer-lasting treatment over an immediate effect with shorter duration; furthermore, 60% felt that duration of treatment was more important than cost in selecting a facial aesthetic procedure. In the ASERF surgeon-based portion of the study, 61% of plastic surgeons felt that patients preferred long-lasting results over immediate ones, but 63% also reported that cost was a more important factor for their patients than duration. CONCLUSIONS: Extrapolating from the patient-reported survey preferences, the authors conclude that nonsurgical facial aesthetic treatment plans should currently be focused more on longevity rather than on immediate impact. There is currently a disconnect between patient preferences and surgeon perception of those preferences, which may be remedied with increased education for both groups. It is worth noting that many patients would be willing to accept a higher cost if it was correlated with a longer-lasting result.

A different and cheap method: sandpaper (manual dermasanding) in treatment of periorbital wrinkles.

Dermabrasion is a nonchemical, superficial skin resurfacing procedure. It owes its popularity to the simplicity and safety of the technique. Studies published in peer-reviewed journals have highlighted the benefits of multiple, once-a-week treatments in improving hyperchromic discolorations, facial scarring, and facial photodamage. The mechanism of action through which microdermabrasion ameliorates skin appearance is not fully understood. Several studies suggest that the clinical improvement is produced through a dermal remodeling/wound healing repair. Regardless of the mechanism, patients and operators alike recognize the efficacy of this procedure. We are introducing a new method to treatment of facial wrinkles. Dermabrasion with sandpaper is not a new procedure in mechanic dermabrasion. However, we used it for the first time in treating periorbital wrinkles.

Use of Transcyte and dermabrasion to treat burns reduces length of stay in burns of all size and etiology.

BACKGROUND: With the cost of healthcare increasing, greater emphasis is placed on finding better ways to manage burn patients by increasing the quality of care while reducing length of hospital stay (LOS), thereby reducing overall cost. To date, this is the largest study to determine if Transcyte reduces LOS for partial thickness burns of any size or etiology. METHODS: All consecutive patients with deep partial thickness burns from April 2002 to December 2002 were reviewed (n=110) with IRB approval. Ninety-two patients were treated with dermabrasion and Transcyte only. Eighteen patients were treated with a combination of STSG and dermabrasion and Transcyte where appropriate. Our data was compared to the American Burn Association Patient Registry, as reported by Saffle et al. 1995. RESULTS: The data for percent TBSA and LOS are reported as mean+/-S.E.M. One-tailed t-test was used to analyze the data. Significant difference was found in patients who were treated with dermabrasion and Transcyte compared to the population reported by Saffle et al. Patients with 0-19.9% TBSA burn treated with dermabrasion and Transcyte had LOS of 6.1 days versus 9.0 days (p<0.001). Those with 20-39.9% TBSA burn had length of stay of 17.5 days versus 25.5 days. Patients treated with STSG and Transcyte who had 40-59.9% TBSA burn had length of stay of 39.7 days versus 44.6 days. Those treated with dermabrasion and Transcyte alone had length of stay of 31 days. CONCLUSION: This is the first study comparing burns of all sizes treated with dermabrasion and Transcyte with a known population receiving standard therapy. The authors found this new method of managing patients with partial thickness burns to be more efficacious and significantly reduces length of stay compared to traditional management.

Tratamento da hipomelanose gotada idiopática por dermabrasäo localizada / Treatment of the idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis by localized dermabrasion

FUNDAMENTOS - A hipomelanose gotada idiopática é dermatose freqüente, inestética, de causa desconhecida e de poucas opçöes terapêuticas. OBJETIVOS - Propor um tratamento eficaz para a hipomelanose gotada idiopática por dermabrasäo localizada. PACIENTES e MÉTODOS - No periódo de fevereiro de 1995 a março de 1996, vinte pacientes do sexo feminimo com idade entre 19 e 66 anos e diagnóstico clínico de hipomelanose gotada idiopática foram tratadas por dermabrasäo localizadas e acompanhadas. Utilizou-se aparelho portátil de baixa rotaçäo e lixas adamantinas apropriadas para o procedimento, permitindo a abrasäo seletiva das lesöes. A abrasäo foi epidérmica e realizada na faixa de 10.000 a 15.000 rpn, sem anestesia local. CONCLUSÄO - O método mostrou-se rápido, simples, efetivo, seguro, reproduzível e de baixo custo e risco.