ISAPS 2010: The Global Summit on Patient Safety

Last August 14, 2010, the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery inaugurated the ISAPS Global Summit on Patient Safety. With speakers from various specialties, including legislators, travel and insurance representatives, as well as plastic surgeons, this was definitely a very interesting forum for me.

The growing commercialization of aesthetic surgery has resulted in many more cases being done each year compared to the past. In the past few years, we have heard many reports of cases of cosmetic surgery tragedies. The case of the Sylmar sisters who did silicone injections in the buttocks which resulted in a woman's death, and the Donda West case, wherein the mother of singer Kanye West died from complications of  cosmetic surgery, are just some of these. Although many of these procedures were performed by people who are not qualified, board certified plastic surgeons, many of the people who read the news reports do not know the difference between a board certified plastic surgeon and someone who just decides to do cosmetic procedures even without the proper training. It is a challenge for us to educate patients about this. Although some may say the concern of plastic surgeons is mainly about the issue of other doctors practicing our specialty, for us, it is all about patient safety.

Aesthetic surgery is a surgery of want rather than need. It is not like other surgeries where people are sick and they have to undergo certain procedures. They just have to accept the risks that go with the procedure they need. Perfectly normal people undergo many aesthetic procedures every year. How can we protect them and reduce these tragic cases?

Part of the forum focused on the legislation that has been done in countries like France and Denmark. In France, they have succeeded in initiating changes and today, there are strict regulations about who can perform procedures. Specialists are only permitted to perform plastic surgery in the part of the body they have specialized in. They are allowed to perform procedures only in their area of specialty. They also have other regulations regarding the presence of paramedical personnel, and the mandatory waiting period after being given a quotation by the surgeon. Other countries like Denmark, Norway and Singapore also have guidelines and policies protecting the patient. Germany also has a ban on advertising for aesthetic surgery. There is no such legislation in the Philippines. And although I have said it before, I will say it again - in the Philippines, it is legal for any doctor, whatever training they have undergone, to do cosmetic surgery.  If patients knew what is involved in aesthetic surgeries, I doubt whether anyone would disagree with me that for greater patient safety, it is best to have strict guidelines about who may perform these surgeries.

I really hope that in the future, the Philippines will catch up with other countries in protecting aesthetic surgery patients through legislation.


Read more of these articles:How to Select a Qualified Plastic Surgeon
The Cosmetic Surgery Scene in the Philippines
Please feel free to email Dr. Lasa if you have any questions.
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery PhilippinesInformation about procedures, prices, selecting a qualified surgeon and having affordable cosmetic plastic surgery in the Philippines

ISAPS Congress 2010

The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery is celebrating its 40th anniversary during the 20th Biennial Congress on August 14, 2010 to August 18, 2010 in the Moscone Convention Center and San Francisco Marriott Hotel, San Francisco, California, USA.

The congress provides the latest in aesthetic surgery education and board certified plastic surgeons from more than 80 countries are attending.

The ISAPS Global Patient Safety Summit took place on the first day of the congress and topics such as Global Regulations, Medical Procedures Abroad and Achieving Global Patient Safety were discussed. Since most of my practice is composed of patients from abroad, these topics were of special interest to me.

Various specific procedures such as Periocular Rejuvenation, Facial Rejuvenation, Rhinoplasty, Aesthetic Breast Surgery, Aesthetic Reconstructive Surgery, and Abdominoplasty are covered during the five day congress. I have found that there is always something new to learn even in the procedures I have been doing for many years when colleagues share their particular way of handling a procedure. As I always say, continuing education is an important part of a plastic surgeon's responsibilities as we strive for excellence, progress and patient safety.


Read more of these articles:How to Select a Qualified Plastic SurgeonThe Cosmetic Surgery Scene in the Philippines

Please feel free to email Dr. Lasa if you have any questions.

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery PhilippinesInformation about procedures, prices, selecting a qualified surgeonand having affordable cosmetic plastic surgery in the Philippines