Analysis of malpractice claims in breast care for poor cosmetic outcome

Claims for poor cosmetic outcome account for a large proportion of breast care malpractice litigation in the UK. Detailed analysis of such claims has not been conducted. We sought to analyse National Health Service Litigation Authority (NHSLA) data pertaining to breast care over the period September 2005-April 2008, focussing on claims for poor cosmetic outcome. Data from a medical indemnity organisation detailing similar claims in the private sector were also analysed. Comparison of the NHSLA data with previously obtained NHSLA data (May 1995-September 2005) demonstrated an upward trend in claims for poor cosmetic outcome. The majority of claimants for poor cosmesis had benign disease and the vast majority of claimants with breast malignancy had undergone breast reconstruction. The majority of claims for poor cosmetic outcome were against plastic surgeons. This was more marked in the private sector data than in the NHSLA data, reflecting their workload.