Thursday, August 16, 2012

"sympathectomy highlighted the disparity between what is known in practice and what appears in the literature"


The March 2004 edition was quite outstanding, with an excellent editorial reminding the reader that only good results are published. The review on thoracoscopic sympathectomy highlighted the disparity between what is known in practice and what appears in the literature. 
‘Know Your Results’, the topic of the ASGBI Annual Scientific Meeting, is of outstanding importance; what is more, the surgeon has to go on knowing his/her results to ensure standards of practice do not slip.
The Journal appreciates comments and criticism and the correspondence column remains a crucial part of the BJS in its interaction between editors and reader. It is also part of the scientific process.
A more robust and incisive criticism of articles known to be flawed would prevent the retractions that have recently been published in the Lancet.
Christopher Russell, Chairman, BJS Society
Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland, ANNUAL REPORT 2004

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

what should be done to better regulate a controversial private industry that is often accused of exploiting vulnerable people


The government has launched a review into cosmetic surgery following the breast implant scandal, which could lead to tighter controls over advertising and the way private clinics operate.
Sir Bruce Keogh, medical director of the NHS, is leading the review at the request of Health Secretary Andrew Lansley. Professor Keogh iscalling for the public to share their own experiences and give their opinions on what should be done to better regulate a controversial private industry that is often accused of exploiting vulnerable people.

"Many questions have been raised, particularly around the regulation of clinics, whether all practitioners are adequately qualified, how well people are advised when money is changing hands, aggressive marketing techniques, and what protection is available when things go wrong.
"I am concerned that too many people do not realise how serious cosmetic surgery is and do not consider the life-long implications – and potential complications – it can have."

"My fear is that there is a political resistance to introducing any form of statutory regulation," said Walsh whose organisation has since helped patients who have suffered harm as a result of those procedures. "It has become somewhat politically incorrect to introduce regulation. That ideology in our opinion seems to have trumped patient safety in a number of cases."