Conclusion
The facial plastic surgeon . The patient
seeking surgery approaches, unaware of the physical and
psychological risks they are putting themselves at. Contemporary
medicine has laid foundations for best practice as
the use of evidence-based medicine. Currently, how the
facial plastic surgeon can avoid doing harm to the patient
represents a relatively ‘‘evidence-poor zone’’. This needs to
be rectified with methodologically robust qualitative and
quantitative, patient-centred outcome-based research.
Without being able to advise the patient on whether having
surgery will holistically benefit them, the surgeon is unable
to refute claims that they are simply servicing the beauty
industry. Despite many great minds producing modified,
accessible, relevant frameworks for medical ethics, it is
remarkable that we still need look no further than Hippocrates
for the guidance. It is daunting and challenging but
the facial plastic surgeon does not stand alone. By drawing
on the expertise of others, the patients can be protected and a
genuine attempt to heal can be made