Ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery
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Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg · Mar 2014
In the eyes of the law: malpractice litigation in oculoplastic surgery.
To assess characteristics associated with various outcomes of malpractice litigation, resulting from injuries sustained during oculoplastic procedures. ⋯ Most litigated oculoplastic malpractice cases were resolved in favor of the defendant, while settlements and plaintiff decisions averaged $455,703. Blepharoplasty constituted two-thirds of cases, with the most frequently cited associated complications being unsightly scarring, lagophthalmos, and visual deficits. An alleged lack of informed consent (30.4%) or the need for additional surgery (39.1%) was present in a considerable proportion of cases, emphasizing the importance of a detailed informed consent and clear communication preoperatively regarding patient expectations.