A Prospective, Multicenter Trial on the Efficacy and Safety of Poly-L-Lactic Acid for the Treatment of Contour Deformities of the Buttock Regions.

Background: There is a significant emphasis on minimally invasive whole-body rejuvenation throughout the world. Recently, gluteal aesthetics have become an increasingly common patient concern. Although the application of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) to the face is already well known, there are relatively fewer publications on its use in other corporeal regions.

Analysis of Utility Assessment Scores to Objectify the Health Burden Caused by Breast Conservation Therapy.

Background: Lumpectomy followed by radiation, known as breast conservation therapy (BCT), is a viable surgical treatment option for early-stage breast cancer. However, the current literature suggests that patients prefer mastectomy over BCT, likely due to the wide variety of postmastectomy reconstructive options. Our aim is to investigate the objective health burden of living with BCT to help surgeons gain a better understanding of patient treatment preferences.

Prospective, Double-Blind Evaluation of Umbilicoplasty Techniques Using Conventional and Crowdsourcing Methods.

Background: Umbilical reconstruction is an important component of deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction. This study evaluated the aesthetics of three different umbilical reconstruction techniques during DIEP flap breast reconstruction.

Methods: From January to April of 2013, a total of 29 consecutive patients undergoing DIEP flap breast reconstruction were randomized intraoperatively to receive one of three umbilicoplasty types: a diamond, an oval, or an inverted V incision.

Utility outcome assessment of pes planus deformity.

Background: Despite being a common condition, there are no objective measures in the literature to reflect the burden of pes planus on affected individuals. Our primary objective was to evaluate this burden by recruiting a sample from the general population using validated utility outcome measures.

Methods: Participants were recruited online and filled a questionnaire to help measure the health burden of pes planus.

Bilateral Hallux Valgus: A Utility Outcome Score Assessment.

Hallux valgus is the most common forefoot problem in adults. Although it can cause considerable disability and affect the quality of life of those affected, many patients seek medical attention because of cosmetic concerns. Our aim was to objectively measure the perceived health burden of living with bilateral hallux valgus.

Impact of Living With Scoliosis: A utility Outcome Score Assessment.

Study Design: Survey.

Objective: The aim of this study was to objectify the burden of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) to better advocate for scoliosis care in the future.

Summary Of Background Data: AIS is a common spinal deformity that can affect individuals on many levels.

Mastopexy for breast ptosis: Utility outcomes of population preferences.

Background: Breast ptosis can occur with aging, and after weight loss and breastfeeding. Mastopexy is a procedure used to modify the size, contour and elevation of sagging breasts without changing breast volume. To gain more knowledge on the health burden of living with breast ptosis requiring mastectomy, validated measures can be used to compare it with other health states.

Nipple-areolar Complex Reconstruction following Postmastectomy Breast Reconstruction: A Comparative Utility Assessment Study.

Background: Nipple-areola complex (NAC) reconstruction occurs toward the final stage of breast reconstruction; however, not all women follow through with these procedures. The goal of this study was to determine the impact of the health state burden of living with a reconstructed breast before NAC reconstruction.

Methods: A sample of the population and medical students at McGill University were recruited to establish the utility scores [visual analog scale (VAS), time trade-off (TTO), and standard gamble (SG)] of living with an NAC deformity.

The utility of outcome studies in plastic surgery.

Outcome studies help provide the evidence-based science rationalizing treatment end results that factor the experience of patients and the impact on society. They improve the recognition of the shortcoming in clinical practice and provide the foundation for the development of gold standard care. With such evidence, health care practitioners can develop evidence-based justification for treatments and offer patients with superior informed consent for their treatment options.

Patient selection optimization following combined abdominal procedures: analysis of 4925 patients undergoing panniculectomy/abdominoplasty with or without concurrent hernia repair.

Background: Massive weight loss following bariatric surgery causes unwanted excess skin and subcutaneous tissue. Intraoperative abdominal wall exposure during abdominal contouring surgery provides the possibility for concurrent ventral, umbilical, or inguinal hernia repair. The authors evaluated the incidence of postoperative complications following abdominal contouring surgery with or without concurrent hernia repair and the impact of surgical specialty.

The ideal nasolabial angle in rhinoplasty: a preference analysis of the general population.

Background: In aesthetic rhinoplasty, the described ideal nasolabial angle ranges from 90 to 120 degrees, with variable anthropologic differences. The authors sought to verify the most aesthetic nasolabial angle as specifically perceived by a random prospective sample of the general population and determine whether age, sex, race, and education were independent associated predictors.

Methods: The authors prospectively recruited 98 random volunteers from the general population.

Population preferences of undergoing brachioplasty for arm laxity.

Background: The number of patients requesting surgical procedures performed for brachioplasty and massive weight loss is increasing. The authors set out to quantify the health state utility outcome assessment of living with arm deformity requiring brachioplasty.

Methods: Utility assessments using the visual analog scale (VAS), time trade-off (TTO), and standard gamble (SG) were used to obtain utilities scores for arm deformity, monocular blindness, and binocular blindness from a sample of the general population and medical students.

Living with a unilateral mastectomy defect: a utility assessment and outcomes study.

Background: The gold standard for the treatment of breast cancer includes mastectomy surgery. Our goal was to quantify the health state utility assessment of living with unilateral mastectomy.

Methods: The visual analogue scale (VAS), time trade-off (TTO), and standard gamble (SG) were used to obtain utilities for unilateral mastectomy, monocular blindness and binocular blindness from a prospective sample of the general population and medical students.

Analysis of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database in 19,100 patients undergoing implant-based breast reconstruction: complication rates with acellular dermal matrix.

Background: The use of acellular dermal matrices has become increasingly popular in immediate and delayed tissue expander/implant-based breast reconstruction. However, it is unclear whether their use is associated with increased postoperative complication rates. Using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, the authors assessed baseline differences in demographics and comorbidities with and without acellular dermal matrix and determined whether postoperative complication rates varied.

The effects of Moufarrege total posterior pedicle reduction mammaplasty on breastfeeding: a review of 931 cases.

Background: Since its original description in 1979, the Moufarrege total posterior pedicle reduction mammaplasty technique has proven to be a safe and reliable procedure providing aesthetic and functional enhancement.

Objectives: To determine if the Moufarrege total posterior pedicle reduction mammaplasty affects successful breastfeeding.

Method: Retrospective chart review was performed for patients operated on between 1981 and 1997, and a written questionnaire was given.

Reporting disclosures to the reader in plastic surgery journal publications.

Background: With the associations between investigators and funding sources becoming increasingly complicated, conflicts of interest may arise that could potentially cause biases in the reporting of results.

Objective: To determine the number of published plastic surgery articles that lack reporting of disclosures.

Methods: An online review of four major North American plastic surgery journal publications from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2007, was performed.

The effects of topical collagen treatment on wound breaking strength and scar cosmesis in rats.

Background: Topical application of collagen has been suggested to enhance wound healing; however, its long-term effect on wounds has not been studied in a rat model.

Hypothesis: Topical application of collagen type I will not facilitate incision healing or cosmesis in rats up to 28 days postwounding.

Methods: The effects of bovine collagen type I (6 mg/mL) on the rat surgical paired skin incision model were examined.

Complements and the wound healing cascade: an updated review.

Wound healing is a complex pathway of regulated reactions and cellular infiltrates. The mechanisms at play have been thoroughly studied but there is much still to learn. The health care system in the USA alone spends on average 9 billion dollars annually on treating of wounds.

Open reduction internal fixation poststernotomy mediastinitis.

Introduction. Mediastinitis has been reported to complicate 5% of sternotomy surgery. We have adopted an open reduction and rigid internal fixation (ORIF) approach during the conventional rescue surgery in the treatment of mediastinitis.

Thigh laxity after massive weight loss: a utilities outcomes assessment.

Background: The presence of excess skin after massive weight loss, particularly in the thighs, not only contributes to a negative body image but can also lead to functional deficits in mobility. In the present study, we quantified the health state utility of living with excess skin in the thighs in an attempt to objectively establish the burden on the quality of life in patients living with excess thigh skin laxity.

Method: Using visual analog scale (VAS), time trade-off (TTO), and standard gamble (SG), we compared the utility outcome scores for thigh skin excess with monocular and binocular blindness from a prospective sample of medical students and the general population.

Complements c3 and c5 individually and in combination increase early wound strength in a rat model of experimental wound healing.

Background. Complements C3 and C5 have independently been shown to augment and increase wound healing and strength. Our goal was to investigate the combinatorial effect of complements C3 and C5 on wound healing.

Diagnosis and management of eosinophilic cellulitis (Wells' syndrome): A case series and literature review.

Introduction: Eosinophilic cellulitis (Wells' syndrome) is an inflammatory dermatitis that is often misdiagnosed as infectious cellulitis due to its similarity in presentation. Misdiagnosis leads to delay of correct treatment and inappropriate use of antibiotics.

Methods: A case series of eosinophilic cellulitis and a literature review are presented.

The impact of living with severe lower extremity lymphedema: a utility outcomes score assessment.

Background: Debilitating lower extremity lymphedema can be either congenital or acquired. Utility scores are an objective measure used in medicine to quantify degrees of impact on an individual's life. Using standardized utility outcome measures, we aimed to quantify the health state of living with severe unilateral lower extremity lymphedema.

An atypical growth of a giant fibroadenoma after trauma.

Background: Fibroadenomas are the most common benign breast lesion in female adolescents. However, it is important to recognize that a small percentage have been shown to progress to giant fibroadenomas. Giant fibroadenomas can spontaneously infarct leading to significant morbidity and are also difficult to distinguish from the more aggressive phyllodes tumors.

The impact of living with a functional and aesthetic nasal deformity after primary rhinoplasty: a utility outcomes score assessment.

Background: Revision rhinoplasty for functional deformities can be both an aesthetic and reconstructive surgical challenge. We set out to quantify the health state utility assessment of living with the physical appearance of nasal asymmetry along with having nasal obstruction. The use of utility scores has helped to establish the health burden of living with various medical conditions.