A West London plastic surgeon has been ordered to practice under strict conditions for 24 months after a medical tribunal found he fell 'far below the standards expected' in his care of a patient. Dr Costantino Davide, who works at Top Cosmetic Surgery UK and practices in Kensington and Chelsea, failed to inform a patient that her body mass index (BMI) was too high and that she needed to stop smoking three weeks before surgery, the tribunal determined.
Details of the Case
The tribunal, which imposed immediate conditions on Dr Davide, heard that he performed a bilateral blepharoplasty and facelift on Patient A on February 12, 2022. Legal counsel for the General Medical Council (GMC), Mr Taylor, described the consequences for the patient as 'dire,' causing significant distress and financial loss.
Dr Davide's employer, Top Cosmetic Surgery UK, stated that he remains a 'valued member of the team' and emphasized that the patient had a good surgical outcome. The company noted that the tribunal's findings related to administrative and communication shortcomings, not surgical incompetence.
Failures Identified
The tribunal found that Dr Davide failed to maintain accurate records of consultations with Patient A, losing his notes and being unable to recall specifics of their conversation. He also did not adequately document the reasons for the procedure or the treatment plan.
Regarding smoking cessation, Dr Davide claimed he believed the patient had stopped smoking, but the tribunal found no documentary evidence that he advised her to quit. Medical records from the day of surgery indicated she was still smoking.
The tribunal did not uphold allegations that Dr Davide failed to obtain consent regarding delayed wound healing, communicate risks of infection, or discuss the patient's lung condition. However, it ruled that his actions fell 'far below the standards expected.'
Conditions Imposed
Dr Davide must now work under the supervision of a GMC-approved clinical supervisor for 24 months. His legal counsel, Mr Whittock, argued that his client poses no threat to the public, noting his 37-year career with no prior fitness to practise issues.
Top Cosmetic Surgery UK defended Dr Davide, stating that guidance on smoking and weight management is best practice but not mandatory, and that the tribunal's decision reflects a need for better record-keeping rather than a finding of incompetence.
