Practice advisory on liposuction

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Patient Safety
• Surgical Procedures

Background:

• The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) established a task force in 2000 to address patient safety in office-based surgery facilities.
• This was prompted by high-profile patient deaths and increased regulatory scrutiny of ambulatory surgery centers.
• The task force initially produced advisories on procedures and patient selection for office-based settings.

Framework:

• The task force evolved into the Committee on Patient Safety to broaden its scope beyond facility-specific issues.
• The committee aims to address all aspects of plastic surgery patient safety.
• This advisory on liposuction is the first developed under the new committee structure.

Implementation:

• The development process involved collaboration with related surgical organizations, including the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA).
• A diverse committee with representatives from various plastic surgery and anesthesia groups contributed to the advisory.
• The final practice advisory represents a consensus of expert opinion and extensive deliberation.

Implications:

• The committee's work aims to improve the safety and welfare of plastic surgery patients.
• This initiative responds to the increasing need for clear guidelines and communication on patient safety in plastic surgery.
• The practice advisory on liposuction provides specific guidance for surgeons operating in office-based settings.