Informed consent in facial plastic surgery: effectiveness of a simple educational intervention

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of oral communication about the risks of facial cosmetic procedures compared with oral and written communication.

Design: A prospective randomized study conducted in an ambulatory surgery center. One hundred twenty consecutive patients were included; they presented for consultation for rhinoplasty, rhytidectomy, or laser resurfacing. Patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: (1) those receiving oral discussion of the risks of the procedure and (2) those receiving oral and written communication about the risks. Two weeks after the initial consultation, patients were surveyed for recall of the risks.

Results: The group that received a pamphlet had a better risk recall than the group that did not (2.5 vs1.5 of 5 risks; P<.001). The recall rate in the following groups that received a pamphlet was also better: (1) university-educated patients (P =.02), (2) patients who underwent rhinoplasty (P<.001), (3) patients who underwent laser resurfacing (P =.02), and (4) female patients (P<.001).

Conclusions: Written disclosure of the risks of cosmetic procedures enables patients to retain and understand more clearly those potential risks. They are, therefore, able to give an informed consent to the proposed procedure. This study also identifies patient groups who may require more intensive presurgical teaching. The medicolegal implications are apparent.