A prominent cosmetic surgeon and dermatologist has failed in his legal bid to stop the ABC broadcasting a Four Corners episode about his practice.

Dr Daniel Lanzer launched court action over fears that an upcoming episode would cast him in an unfavourable light based on information he believes has been provided by two former employees in breach of confidentiality agreements.

The experienced dermatologist, who markets himself as a cosmetic surgeon and boasts of having more than 20,000 patients, sought an urgent injunction to stop the episode airing and a declaration that the ABC was participating in breaches of the former employees’ contracts.

But the Federal Court of Australia on Thursday declined to stand in the way of the ABC, dismissing Dr Lanzer’s application.