Medical Negligence*

What is Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is a very common type of cosmetic surgery which can also be referred to as a ‘nose job’. This term covers a wide range of procedures from surgery for functionality such as breathing to surgery for appearance reasons such as changing the shape of the nose.

A Common Surgery

Although a very common surgery which is commonly risk-free, sometimes accidents can occur, this can lead to injuries. If you have sustained an injury during or following nose surgery you may be entitled to make a claim for damages if this was caused as the result of the negligence of another party.

Although nose shaping surgery is commonly carried out for cosmetic reasons, it can also help to fix a broken nose which has changed shape due to a previous injury. There are many reasons for which somebody may undergo nose surgery, which include:

• Requirement for surgery on the nose following an injury to the face
• Bumps or an irregular bridge on the nose
• Deviated septum
• Breathing difficulties
• Following an error made during a previous surgery

An important step in the claims process for personal injuries is determining who is liable. Where medical negligence is at play, the medical team that carried out the procedure may be found liable.

Cosmetic surgery should always be carried out by a fully qualified and trained professional who is aware of the risks associated with this. Many injuries are sustained as a result of untrained practitioners carrying out the surgery as they may not have the correct knowledge on how to avoid the risk of an accident or injury.

Common Injuries

Common types of injuries sustained in rhinoplasty error Claims claims include:

• Nerve Damage
• Infection
• Breathing difficulties
• Damage to the nose
• Blood clots and excessive bleeding
• Injuries to the eye
• Bruising
• Scarring
• Nasal collapse
• Weakening of the nose
• Loss of sense of smell
• Soft tissue damage
• Damage to the septum

Causes

Unqualified Medical Practitioner

It is important to note that not all medical professionals are trained to carry out rhinoplasty. This surgery should only be carried out by a fully qualified professional who is aware of the potential risks associated with nose surgery. Many injuries caused as a result of rhinoplasty are caused as a result of unqualified medical professionals.

Failing to Advise Patients on Risks

An important part of any surgery is ensuring that the patient is aware of any risks which are associated with the surgery. It is the responsibility of the medical team to ensure that this information is provided to the patient so that they can make a decision on whether they would like to proceed with rhinoplasty or not. They will then need to sign an agreement to confirm that they are happy to proceed and are aware of potential complications that are associated with this. Failure to advise can result in a claim being made against them.

Incorrect Equipment

If the correct equipment is not used the chances of sustaining an injury becomes higher. Any equipment that is needed to carry out this surgery should be clean and sterile prior to use and it is important that all of the correct equipment is used. Using incorrect equipment can lead to infection and other injuries.

Failing to Carry Out a Prior Assessment

Prior to any surgery being carried out, there should be an initial assessment done to determine if there may be any issues in proceeding with this surgery. This allows the medical practitioner to make a decision on whether the patient is a suitable candidate for rhinoplasty. There should also be a consultation in which a decision is made on what the result of the surgery will be so that everyone is aware of what to expect.