Cosmetic surgery malpractice leads to kidney failure
A new report from the CDC highlights the risks of cosmetic surgery medical malpractice. Three women who thought they were being given a soft-tissue filler injection at a cosmetic clinic recently ended up suffering kidney failure, resulting in hospitalization and dialysis treatment. The CDC has cautioned consumers to be aware of the risks associated with cosmetic procedures and to make sure that the practitioners who perform such procedures are licensed.
Soft tissue fillers are a substances often injected for cosmetic reasons to augment or enhance the appearance of the lips, breasts, buttocks or other soft tissues. In these cases, a non-doctor told the patients that they were being injected with liquid silicone. The injections are not approved by the FDA for cosmetic purposes, but since liquid silicone injections are approved for other uses, doctors are allowed to administer it “off-label”.
During cosmetic surgery, silicone injections are often given in large volumes and tissue irritants may be intentionally added to increase swelling. There have been many side effects associated with cosmetic silicone injections, including infection, pulmonary embolism and death. Because renal failure has not previously been associated with liquid silicone, the CDC indicates that it is likely another substance may have been used in these cases.
The report, which is published in the CDC’s May 2nd Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, discusses three cases for women who traveled to a North Carolina cosmetic surgery clinic after learning about the facility through internet chat rooms. They were each under the perception that the procedure was safe since it was going to be performed in a clinic. However, all of the injections were administered by someone with no medical training and none of them saw a licensed physician during their visit.
Following the cosmetic injections in December 2007, all three women developed kidney failure. The report outlines how problems began within 30 minutes in some of the cases, with headaches, vomiting, dark urine and fatigue. Although the exact substance injected was not identifed, the CDC warns about the risks of cosmetic surgery malpractice and urge people considering soft-tissue filler injections to make sure that they are only administered by a licensed provider with the appropriate medical training.
COSMETIC SURGERY MALPRACTICE LAWYERS
The medical malpractice lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. represent victims of medical mistakes and cosmetic surgery mistakes. Although cosmetic procedures are elective, they still carry substantial risk of injury or death if they are not performed by qualified medical professions who follow the appropriate standard of care.
If you, a friend or family member have suffered cosmetic surgery problems resulting in severe and permanent physical injury financial compensation may be available. Request a free consultation and medical malpractice claim evaluation.
1 Comment • Add Your Comments
Pat says:
Having experienced disfiguring, painful and permanent facial lumps after being injected with Sculptra (Dermik Pharm) a group began to network on a website – searching for help. We now realize how many have been injured by this product. Although we have spoken with Dermik (who dismisses our claims) and they are fully aware of our problems, the product is still be widely marketed here in the U.S.
Posted on March 20, 2009 at 12:16 pm