Aesthetic Procedures & Patient Safety Flashcards
7 cards from real ABPS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Aesthetic Procedures & Patient Safety flashcards as text
A patient requests hyaluronic acid filler for nasal tip augmentation. The most serious potential complication specific to this anatomic location is:
Answer: Vascular occlusion leading to skin necrosis or blindness via retrograde embolism
The nasal tip and dorsum are high-risk zones due to anastomoses with the ophthalmic artery; retrograde embolism can cause blindness or skin necrosis.
Which factor is most predictive of poor psychological outcome following aesthetic surgery?
Answer: Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) diagnosed preoperatively
BDD is the strongest predictor of postoperative dissatisfaction and psychological harm; screening and referral to psychiatry before surgery is essential.
The maximum recommended single-session volume of fat removed during liposuction for an outpatient procedure, per most safety guidelines, is:
Answer: 5 liters of total aspirate
Most safety guidelines and ASPS recommendations cap outpatient liposuction at 5 liters total aspirate to reduce fluid shift risks and systemic complications.
A patient undergoing blepharoplasty develops sudden vision loss immediately postoperatively. The most urgent intervention is:
Answer: Immediate wound exploration and hematoma evacuation to relieve orbital compartment pressure
Retrobulbar hematoma causing vision loss is a surgical emergency; immediate orbital decompression via wound exploration can prevent permanent blindness.
Which patient characteristic is an absolute contraindication to outpatient aesthetic surgery under general anesthesia?
Answer: Uncontrolled obstructive sleep apnea without CPAP compliance
Uncontrolled OSA without CPAP compliance poses an unacceptable risk of postoperative airway obstruction in an outpatient setting lacking overnight monitoring.
When performing breast augmentation, which implant pocket plane is associated with the lowest rate of capsular contracture in primary augmentation?
Answer: Dual-plane (partial submuscular)
The dual-plane technique provides partial muscle coverage over the upper implant while allowing the lower pole to be subglandular, balancing contracture risk with aesthetic result.
What is the primary mechanism by which epinephrine added to tumescent solution improves safety during liposuction?
Answer: Vasoconstriction reducing systemic lidocaine absorption and blood loss
Epinephrine causes local vasoconstriction, which slows lidocaine absorption into the systemic circulation and significantly reduces intraoperative blood loss.