Is Aesthetic Surgery Safe in the Solid Organ Transplant Patient? An International Survey and Review.

Abstract

Improved immunosuppression and lifespans have afforded solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients the opportunity to seek aesthetic surgery. To determine current trends in the provision of aesthetic in the SOT patient population, we polled the international plastic surgery community. We specifically sought to evaluate their experiences with this patient population, as well as to perform a review of the literature to provide updated guidelines for practitioners who may consider performing surgery in the SOT patient population. A web-based survey was sent to national and international colleagues to query the experiences and complication rates of performing aesthetic surgery in this patient population. Thirty percent of the 1308 respondents performed surgery in SOT patients. Three hundred and forty practitioners performed 552 procedures with a 4.3% complication rate. Over 68% of all procedures were performed on kidney transplant recipients. SOT patients can safely undergo elective aesthetic procedures. We recommend working closely with the medical team to assure the best outcomes.