title: Cosmetic surgery on children - professional and legal obligations in Australia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Public awareness and concern about cosmetic surgery on children is increasing. Nationally and internationally questions have been raised by the media and government bodies about the appropriateness of children undergoing cosmetic surgery. Considering the rates of cosmetic surgery in comparable Western societies, it seems likely that the number of physicians in Australia who will deal with a request for cosmetic surgery for a child will continue to increase. This is a sensitive issue and it is essential that physicians understand the professional and legal obligations that arise when cosmetic surgery is proposed for a child.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This article reviews the current professional and legal obligations that physicians have to competent and incompetent children for whom cosmetic surgery has been requested.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A case study is used to highlight the factors that Australian primary care physicians must consider before referring and conducting cosmetic surgery on children.
authors: Department of ENT Head and Neck Surgery, Ipswich Hospital, Australia. mail@leonkit.com
authors: Leon
authors: L
authors: Kitipornchai
authors: Shih-Ning
authors: SN
authors: Then
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques; D004431:Ear, External / Q000601:surgery; D058006:General Practice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D057828:Informed Consent By Minors / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D008297:Male; D016743:Mental Competency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D013506:Otologic Surgical Procedures; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011793:Queensland; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D020458:Third-Party Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence