title: Medicolegal aspects of rhinology practice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate rhinology-related malpractice claims with the aim of optimising safe practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  The database of the National Institute of Forensic Medicine was reviewed. In total, 241 otorhinolaryngology malpractice case reports dating from 2005 to 2012 were evaluated, and 83 malpractice cases related to rhinology treatments were separated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference between the number of male (n = 42) and female (n = 41) claimants. The mean patient age was 32.07 ± 10.53 years (range, 10-75 years). Seventy-nine cases involved surgical treatment in rhinology. The most common complaints were: unsatisfactory cosmetic results (n = 30), optic nerve injury (n = 10), septal perforation (n = 9) and intracranial penetration (n = 4). Malpractice was detected in 21 cases (25.3 per cent). No delinquency was found in 62 cases (74.7 per cent).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Physicians should be aware of legal consequences related to rhinology practice. Further study is needed on this topic, as well as interdisciplinary collaboration, to ensure best practices and to avoid litigation.
authors: Institution of Forensic Medicine,Ministry of Justice,Istanbul,Turkey.
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Apaydin
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology,Istanbul Faculty of Medicine,Istanbul University,Turkey.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Çomoğlu
authors: Institution of Forensic Medicine,Ministry of Justice,Istanbul,Turkey.
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Özer
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology,Istanbul Faculty of Medicine,Istanbul University,Turkey.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Avci
authors: Institution of Forensic Medicine,Ministry of Justice,Istanbul,Turkey.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Eş
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology,Istanbul Faculty of Medicine,Istanbul University,Turkey.
authors: K S
authors: KS
authors: Orhan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014421:Turkey; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Litigation; Malpractice; Nasal Surgical Procedures