Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction: Medicolegal Considerations

Abstract

Liposuction, a most common surgical procedure, includes many facets toward achieving great results including patient selection, patient expectations, informed consent issues, financial issues, and HIPAA, to name a few. This chapter addresses issues not usually discussed to help achieve patient and surgeon goals.

A Template of Informed Consent Discussions Maybe as Follows:

• Alternative Treatment

• Risks of Liposuction Surgery

• Inherent Risks of Liposuction

• Patient Selection:

• Pubic Distortion:

• Umbilicus:

• Tumescent Liposuction:

• Ultrasound-Assisted Lipectomy:

  • Burns:

  • Cannula Fragmentation:

  • Unknown Risks:

• General Risks of Surgery

• Healing Issues:

• Bleeding:

• Infection:

• Scarring:

• Firmness:

• Change in Skin Sensation:

• Skin Contour Irregularities:

• Skin Discoloration/Swelling:

• Skin Sensitivity:

• Major Wound Separation:

• Sutures:

• Delayed Healing:

• Damage to Deeper Structures:

• Fat Necrosis:

• Seroma:

• Surgical Anesthesia:

• Shock:

• Pain:

• Cardiac and Pulmonary Complications:

• Venous Thrombosis and Sequelae:

• Allergic Reactions:

• Drug Reactions:

• Asymmetry:

• Surgical Wetting Solutions:

• Persistent Swelling (Lymphedema):

• Unsatisfactory Result:

• Additional Advisories

• Smoking, Second-Hand Smoke Exposure, Nicotine Products

• Sleep Apnea/CPAP

• Medications and Herbal Dietary Supplements:

• Sun Exposure – Direct or Tanning Salon:

• Travel Plans:

• Body-Piercing Procedures:

• Female Patient Information:

• Intimate Relations After Surgery:

• Mental Health Disorders and Elective Surgery:

• DVT/PE Risks and Advisory

• Additional Surgery Necessary (Re-Operations)

• Patient Compliance

• Revision Policy

• Health Insurance

• Financial Responsibilities

• Cosmetic Surgery Financial Agreement:

• Communication Acknowledgement – Consent

• Consent to Commercial Use of Photographs.

• Patient Consent for Use of Credit Cards, Debit Card, and Financing – Disclosure of Protected Health Information.