Uso do termo de consentimento informado em cirurgia plástica estética

background: the informed consent form provides security for the plastic surgeon and the patient, and its use is recommended by the consumer's defense code. methods: a total of 100 judgments made by the courts of 5 brazilian states were analyzed, in cases involving aesthetic plastic surgeries. this retrospective study was conducted between july 2010 and august 2012 involving a total of 3,427 plastic surgeons. the most common causes of lawsuits and the evidence that led to conviction or acquittal decisions in these cases were assessed. results: there was an average conviction rate of 55% among the states under study (range, 35-85%). the average compensation for moral damages was r$30,900. the main surgical procedures that resulted in the lawsuits and the convictions were abdominoplasty, mammoplasty, and breast implantation. in the cases in which the physician was acquitted, there was a favorable expert opinion in 84,6% of the judgments, whereas adequate information was provided in 100% of such cases. conclusions: this study showed that a favorable expert opinion and the adequate provision of information about suggested treatments were instrumental in physician acquittal.