Seventy-four complicated cases referred to a tertiary hospital in Korea after dermatologic procedures

Background: During the last dozen years, tremendous changes have occurred in dermatologic care in Korea. Unlike in the past, dermatologic procedures, including cosmetic treatments, are now frequently carried out by nondermatologists, oriental medicine doctors, dentists, or non-medical personnel. Procedure-related complications are increasing, but few studies have addressed this issue. Objective: This study aims to analyze the scope of complicated cases after dermatologic procedures at Chonbuk National University Hospital. Methods: This study analyzed the records of 74 patients with complications after dermatologic procedures that visited Chonbuk National University Hospital between January 2008 and December 2013. Results: The numbers of complicated cases increased yearly. The ratio of male to female patients with complicated cases was 1:6.4, and the mean age was 44.4 years. The ratio of practitioners who treated the patients was 1:1. 6:5.7 dermatologists to non-medical personnel to non-dermatologists, and the majority of non-dermatologists who treated the patients were general practitioners. A total of 82.5% of the patients who visited non-dermatologists mistook them as dermatologists. The most common complication was a pigmentation change detected by nondermatologists (n=21, 38.9%), and dermatologists (n=4, 44.4%). Foreign body granulomatous reactions were detected by non-medical personnel (n=12, 80.0%). Especially, laser ablations of undiagnosed skin cancer by non-dermatologists were seven times greater than dermatologist. Conclusion: Complications after dermatologic procedures are increasing and happen more commonly when patients are seen by non-dermatologists, including oriental medicine doctors, dentists, and non-medical personnel, than dermatologists. This study may help improve strategies for health-care safety management and quality in the dermatological field in Korea.