Perioperative considerations for patient safety in cosmetic surgery

Maintaining patient safety in and outside the operating room is a major concern of plastic surgeons. Circumventing preventable complications is essential, as public acknowledgement and interest in the complications of cosmetic surgery rises. The plastic surgery patient is generally considered a safe candidate for surgery, but his or her health may have masked problems, and generally superficial surgery can still be subject to the common risks of surgery. Patient education and information on the procedure and the risks, benefits, and alternatives can help avoid surprise and confusion if a complication does occur. Peer-review systems in the form of weekly or monthly morbidity reporting conferences can help identify practice patterns that increase risks and can ultimately improve patient safety. After reviewing a patient's medical history, doing a thorough physical examination and review of systems, and pertinent laboratory or radiographic testing, the physician should select the patient's appropriate classification from the anesthesiologist's physical rating. Preparation and consideration for the common risks of plastic surgery should help to improve perioperative safety.