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Abstract

Sir:FigureWe are writing in response to the letter by Achille Aveta et al. entitled “Digital Photography in Plastic Surgery: The Importance of Standardization in the Era of Medicolegal Issues.” This letter serves to support and further expand on our previously published abstract, “Adherence to Photographic Standards: A Review of Plastic Surgeons Websites.”1 In their letter, Aveta et al. stress the importance of photographic standardization and the value that this imparts. As we have also stated, they note that standardization is critical for preoperative planning, providing visual references during surgery, assessing surgical outcomes, communicating with patients, surgical education, and presentations and publications. They go on to further elaborate that patient photographs are a critical element of the medical record and may serve to protect plastic surgeons if malpractice legal claims are levied. We agree with the statements made in this letter. Patient photographs provide one of the few objective means of assessing clinical outcomes following plastic surgery. In 2006, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons/Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation published Photographic Standards in Plastic Surgery2 to provide a template for photographic standardization. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons strives to promote the highest standards in its members, improve clinical outcomes, and distinguish our specialty as leaders in this ever-changing field as other specialties encroach on us. Adherence to photographic standards provides appropriate documentation, increases professionalism, allows critical analysis of surgical results, and allows for better education, both for surgeons and for patients and the public. Aveta et al. appropriately state that high-quality, standardized photographs can be a valuable adjunct in the face of litigation. Continued appraisal of our performance and results is important for improving outcomes. Our study demonstrated that a minority of plastic surgeons' Web sites upheld the desired photographic standards.1 Education of plastic surgeons regarding these standards will possibly lead to their more universal application. William J. Casey III, M.D. Kyle Sanniec Alanna M. Rebecca, M.D. Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Mayo Clinic in Arizona, Phoenix, Ariz. DISCLOSURE The authors have no financial interests or commercial relationships to disclose regarding the preparation, presentation, or submission of this communication.