Litigation and Complications Arising From Aesthetic Body Surgery: a Systematic Review

Background Aesthetic body surgeries are increasingly performed worldwide, often driven by social media, shifting beauty standards, and medical tourism. Despite being elective procedures, they carry significant risk for complications and medico-legal disputes. This systematic review explores litigation trends, common complications, and legal outcomes in body aesthetic surgeries. Methods A systematic review was conducted per PRISMA guidelines, with registration on PROSPERO (ID: CRD420251043585). Forty-one studies published since 1 January 2020 were included, sourced from 7 databases, 2 trial registries, and grey literature. Eligible studies reported on adult patients undergoing body aesthetic surgeries and subsequent medico-legal claims. Data were extracted regarding surgical procedures, complications, legal allegations, and verdicts. Risk of bias was assessed using JBI and ROBINS-I tools. Results Liposuction, abdominoplasty, gluteoplasty, and breast augmentation were the most litigated procedures. Fat embolism, infection, and implant rupture were the most common complications cited in claims. Allegations frequently involved inadequate informed consent (over 50%), procedural errors, and insufficient follow-up. Plaintiff success rates ranged from 20–40%, especially when complications were severe or documentation was poor. Surgeon-favorable outcomes were more likely when thorough documentation and informed consent were evident. Conclusion Litigation in aesthetic body surgery is largely preventable and frequently associated with poor communication, inadequate consent, and procedural missteps. Standardizing informed consent, restricting high-risk procedures to certified specialists, and improving postoperative care may reduce litigation and improve patient safety.