Tension Reduction With Force Modulating Tissue Bridges Reduces Wounds in Breast Surgery.

Background: Tension on healing wounds increases the risk of dehiscence and poor or pathologic scar formation. Force modulating tissue bridges (FMTBs) represent a new class of wound closure and support devices designed to offload tension on healing wounds to improve wound healing and scar outcomes.

Objectives: The study was undertaken to assess the efficacy of FMTBs to reduce the risk of wound healing complications in elective breast surgery.

Aesthetic Surgery in Plastic Surgery Academia.

Background: Aesthetic surgery is a critical component of academic plastic surgery. As institutions are placing increased focus on aesthetic surgery, there is an opportunity to identify factors that facilitate the creation and maintenance of successful aesthetic plastic surgery programs.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to conduct a national survey to evaluate the current state of academic aesthetic surgery and to identify factors that contribute to success.

Force Modulating Tissue Bridges for Reduction of Tension and Scar: Finite Element and Image Analysis of Preclinical Incisional and Nonincisional Models.

Background: Force modulating tissue bridges (FMTB) represent a new class of combined wound closure and scar reduction device designed to optimize the tension milieu of the healing wound.

Objectives: Engineering analysis and testing in both intact skin and incisional models was undertaken to assess changes in tissue tension associated with device placement and compare to standard suture closure.

Methods: Nonlinear, large deformation finite element analyses (FEA) were performed to compare the strains applied to tissues with sutures and FMTB.

Lessons Learned After 15 Years of Circumferential Bodylift Surgery.

Circumferential bodylift is a powerful procedure for achieving dramatic and natural body contouring changes in the massive weight loss patient. The care of these patients has raised our awareness of several important issues including safety, nutritional status, skin quality, recurrent laxity, surgical steps, and postoperative scars. Integration of this knowledge with various technical modifications over the last 15 years has improved our care for this cohort.

The Circumrotational Technique for Mastopexy.

Numerous combinations of pedicle design and incision patterns have been described for mastopexy, but upper pole volume deficiency, suboptimal shape, or recurrent ptosis are still undesired postoperative findings. The challenges of preventing such outcomes are amplified in the massive weight loss (MWL) patient population, where both the extent of morphologic deformation and alterations in tissue characteristics (ie, a materials failure) can be severe. To correct this problem, we propose a technique that combines breast circumference-reduction with maximal glandular rotation and superomedial repositioning: the circumrotational technique.

The Ethics of Stem Cell-Based Aesthetic Surgery: Attitudes and Perceptions of the Plastic Surgery Community.

Background: The emerging field of stem cell-based aesthetics has raised ethical concerns related to advertising campaigns and standards for safety and efficacy.

Objectives: The authors sought to characterize the attitudes of plastic surgeons regarding the ethics of stem cell-based aesthetics.

Methods: A cross-sectional electronic survey was distributed to 4592 members of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

The ecosystem of plastic surgery: a specialty and industry perspective.

Plastic surgery, a defined surgical specialty, can be viewed as an ecosystem facing perturbatory forces, both internal and external, that will disrupt healthy checks and balances. This is an evolving system which will adapt to these disturbances and evolve as will a natural ecosystem. Returning to the beginning of the plastic surgery ecosystem, dating to World War I, identification of the challenges and forces within the ecosystem will raise awareness in the plastic surgery community.

Taking evidence-based plastic surgery to the next level: report of the second summit on evidence-based plastic surgery.

Applying the principles of evidence-based medicine has the potential to drastically improve quality of care and patient outcomes. For this reason, evidence-based medicine has been held as one of the 15 most important developments in medicine within the past 100 years. In August of 2010, a broad coalition of leaders from numerous organizations representing societies, boards, journals, foundations, and academic institutions met in Colorado Springs, Colorado, for the first Evidence-Based Plastic Surgery Summit.