By Park Si-soo
Staff Reporter
A court has ruled that a cosmetic surgeon must compensate a patient who was not given prior warning of possible side effects associated with the plastic surgery she underwent.
The Seoul High Court upheld a lower court's ruling Thursday that ordered a plastic surgeon identified as Yoon to pay 27.8 million won ($27,800) to a female patient identified as Lee, who underwent autologous fat transplantation at Yoon's hospital in Apgujeong, southern Seoul, in Jan. 2006.
Autologous fat transplantation, also known as fat transfer, is a popular alternative to other wrinkle treatments. The patient's own fat is used to plump up features.
``The doctor did not fully describe the possible side effects of the surgery,'' the court said in its ruling.
Lee had the operation to remove wrinkles from her forehead, jaw and nose. On the following day, her nose began swelling and part of her face turned gray. Despite additional treatments, she still has several dark spots, grayed skin and other side effects.
The number of lawsuits involving surgical side effects is on the increase.
According to Inje University Hospital, lawsuits caused by surgical side effects amounted to 38 in 2004. It reached 73 in 2006, the latest data available.
``Technology has improved a lot but it doesn't necessarily mean plastic surgery is 100 percent safe,'' said Sun Uk, a plastic surgeon at Inje University Busan Paik Hospital. ``Doctors must fully notify patients of the possible side effects and provide sufficient consultation prior to operations.''