The Plastic Surgery Social Media Influencer: Ethical Considerations and a Literature Review

Background: Social media use has become a relevant tool in plastic surgery. These platforms are utilized for many reasons, such as business promotion. Although beneficial, social media can cause ethical dilemmas if used incorrectly. Objectives: A review of the literature revealed what is understood about the implications of social media in regards to sponsorship/promotion. This paper aimed to create the foundation surrounding this topic and help facilitate future discussions on this new ethical dilemma. Methods: A MEDLINE search with a custom publication date range and a review of the literature was conducted on June 15, 2019. Results: The search yielded 139 articles and abstracts. After review, 26 publications were chosen for analysis. Articles were taken from the following journals: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (n = 12), Aesthetic Surgery Journal (n = 8), PRS Global Open (n = 2), Annals of Plastic Surgery (n = 1), BMJ (n = 1), AMA Journal of Ethics (n = 1), and Facial Plastic Surgery (n = 1). The 4 principles of medical ethics were analyzed in respect to promotion and sponsorship in plastic surgery. Conclusions: Social media is a novel platform that is becoming increasingly utilized in plastic surgery. Although its impact can be beneficial, it is not well understood in the context of social media sponsorship and promotion. To date, no peer-reviewed articles specifically discuss these limitations. It is critical that all plastic surgeons be cognizant of both the positive and negative aspects of social media before integrating it into their professional lives.