Clinicians Performing Cosmetic Surgery in the Community: A Nationwide Analysis of Physician Certification
Methods/Technique: A systematic search was performed to evaluate the qualifications of surgeons who are marketing themselves as plastic surgeons. For every US state, three searches were performed: 1. “state” plastic surgery, 2. “state” cosmetic surgery and 3. “state” aesthetic surgery. The first 50 websites returned for each search were visited and scrutinized utilizing the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS) and American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) databases.
Results/Complications: A total of 7500 websites were visited. These websites yielded 1898 plastic surgeons board-certified by the ABPS. There were 257 board-certified ENT surgeons, of which 55 (21.4%) were practicing outside their scope; 92 board-certified OMFS surgeons, of which 62 (67.4%) were practicing outside their scope; 65 board-certified dermatologists, of which 33 (50.8%) were practicing outside their scope; 106 board-certified general surgeons, of which 100 (94.3%) were practicing outside their scope; 16 board-certified family medicine doctors, of which 16 (100%) were practicing outside their scope; 67 board-certified ophthalmologists/occuloplastic surgeons, of which 46 (68.7%) were practicing outside their scope; 13 board-certified OBGYN doctors, of which 13 (100%) were practicing outside their scope; 3 board-certified pediatricians, of which 3 (100%) were practicing outside their scope; 6 board-certified emergency medicine physicians, of which 6 (100%) were practicing outside their scope; 2 board-certified urologists, of which 2 (100%) were practicing outside their scope; 2 board-certified anesthesiologists, of which 2 (100%) were practicing outside their scope; and finally 1 phlebotomist, of which 1 (100%) was practicing outside his scope.
Conclusion: Clinicians are performing cosmetic surgery in the community who are not board-certified by the ABPS. Patients may find themselves on the operating tables of individuals who are not qualified to perform aesthetic surgery procedures.