Plastic Surgery-related Disputes Increasing Every Year
Doctors Do not Seem to Provide Sufficient Explanation to Patients about Possible Side Effects of Cosmetic Surgery

The Korea Consumer Agency (KCA) analyzed 161 consumer damage redress cases related to cosmetic surgery which were reported to the Agency between Jan, 2004 and Dec, 2006, and said that the number of medical disputes in the field is continuously increasing.

According to the analysis, 5 out of every 10 cases were regarding the side effects of surgical operations such as scars (36.6%), inflammation (20.4%), pigmentation (17.2%), and asymmetry (12.9%). Among victims, 27.3% received additional operations due to unsatisfactory effects of initial surgery. In particular, many people who received mammaplasty underwent second surgery.

Meanwhile, 8 out of 10 victims said they hadn’t got sufficient explanation about possible adverse effects from their doctors before surgery, which is becoming a major source of medical disputes.   

Based on its study, the KCA emphasized the importance of coming up with measures to prevent medical disputes such as strengthening doctors’ obligation to provide sufficient explanation about possible side effects to their patients prior to operations.

□ Side Effects are the Primary Reasons Behind Medical Disputes 

The number of consumer requests for the redress of their damages from plastic surgery increased every year from 38 in 2004 to 52 in 2005, to 71 in 2006. Among 161 reported cases, damages caused by side effects accounted for 57.8%, followed by unsatisfactory results (24.2%), and dissatisfaction with the results (8.1%).   

< Type of Consumer Damage from Cosmetic Surgery >

Among side effects, scars were the most frequently reported damage, accounting for 36.6%, followed by inflammation (20.4%), pigmentation (17.2%), and asymmetry (12.9).

< Type of Side Effects Caused by Cosmetic Surgery >

By type of cosmetic surgery, among laser surgery, “pigmentation” was most frequently reported damages, while “unsatisfactory results” were major reasons behind medical disputes with eyelid surgery and rhinoplasty. In the case of liposuction and mammaplasty, consumers complained most about “unsatisfactory results” and “problems with prosthesis,” respectively.

□ 27.3% Received Re-operations Due to Side Effects or Unsatisfactory Results

Breast augmentation showed highest percentage of additional surgery with 80%, followed by eyelid surgery (53.8%), nose surgery (52.2%), and liposuction or lipotransplantation (42.9%).

< No. of Additional Operations Required by Type of Cosmetic Surgery >

□ 8 out of 10 Patients Say They Didn’t Get Explanation about Side Effects before Surgery

Based on its analysis, the KCA is planning to propose the Ministry of Health & Welfare to come up with a guideline for preventing medical accidents including adverse effects from surgery, to prepare emergency equipment and to set up an emergency preparation system. The Agency will also ask relevant organizations such as hospitals’ association and doctors’ association to adhere to their obligations to explain all the necessary information to the patients before surgery, prepare and keep the patient’s agreement forms, draw up progress notes, and to keep patients’ photos before and after surgery.

< Consumer Cautions >    

** Before Surgery

1. Make a cautious decision after consulting doctors sufficiently about operation methods and side effects.
2. Take preoperative photos of you so that they can be compared with your conditions after the surgery.
3. Do not expect too much effect.
4. If you have diathesis or a clinical history, never forget to notify it to the doctor.
5. Consult with doctors about measures to take when surgery go wrong or do not produce satisfactory results.
6. Check if the doctor in charge is a plastic surgery specialist.

** After Surgery

1. Get the necessary objective materials as many as possible including medical bills, medical records, and relevant photos.
2. Avoid a hasty second or third operation and consult with the doctor in charge sufficiently before additional surgery.
3. Get another doctor’s opinion on the side effects of the surgery you received or need for reoperation. 
4. Check the Extinctive Prescription. You can get your damage redressed only when you take an action within 3 years after you raise a claim against the hospital.

June 22nd , 2007 [Consumer Dispute Settlement Department II]