Ethical Dilemmas in Plastic Surgery: Insights From a Survey Study in Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Background: Plastic surgery often presents complex ethical dilemmas involving patient autonomy, informed consent, and resource allocation. This study aimed to explore these challenges and their impact on surgeons' decision-making processes.

Methods: A survey study was conducted among plastic surgeons in Saudi Arabia between May and June 2024. An online-validated questionnaire was distributed to consultants, residents, and registrars. The survey covered demographic information and ethical dilemma scenarios. Data were analyzed using SPSS, with chi-square tests used to assess associations.

Results: Among the 75 participants, 53.3% were consultants, 82.7% were male, and the majority (38.7%) were between 30 and 39 years of age. Most surgeons (41.3%) reported rarely encountering ethical dilemmas, with managing patient expectations being the most common issue, cited by 48.0% of respondents. Professional guidelines influenced decision-making for 56.0% of the participants. Consultants and residents had differing experiences; consultants were more concerned about advertising practices (75.0% compared with 12.5%) and complications (70.0% compared with 30.0%), whereas residents focused primarily on resource allocation (100.0% versus none of the consultants).

Conclusions: Plastic surgeons in Saudi Arabia face various ethical challenges, with differences noted between consultants and residents. The findings highlight the importance of addressing these challenges to enhance decision-making and patient care.