Plastic Surgery 2009 News Briefs
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- Cleavage Rejuvenation, Do-It-Yourself Lasers, Botox® Breast Lift - Hype or Reality?
- Embargo for Release: Friday, October 23, 2009
Whether their effectiveness is fact or fiction, less invasive cosmetic procedures such as cleavage rejuvenation, do-it-yourself (DIY) cosmetic therapies, and using Botox® to "lift" the breasts are making headlines, but are they safe? Plastic surgeons will discuss if these, and more, are cutting edge new discoveries or just "buyer beware" marketing hype at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Plastic Surgery 2009 conference, Oct. 23 - 27, in Seattle. Cleavage rejuvenation involves injecting a non-allergenic filler into the cleavage to alleviate wrinkles. DYI cosmetic therapies include hair removal devices, lasers, even fillers that some patients are ordering off the Internet. With a Botox Breast Lift, the toxin is injected into the chest muscles, temporarily paralyzing them, and causing the back muscles to compensate. The patient, in turn, is forced to standup straighter, thereby creating a lifted appearance in the breasts. Plastic surgeons are concerned that these may be some of the procedures consumers are turning to in the weak economy. A new procedure called Awake-Breast Augmentation, where the patient is awake during surgery and gives feedback regarding her preferred size of implant, will be examined. Additionally, the latest information on cosmetic gynecology, laser liposuction, cellulite, new fillers such as Selphyl (being touted as a new blood-based injectable), and more will be discussed.
By the Numbers: More than 10.4 million cosmetic minimally-invasive procedures were performed in 2008, according to the ASPS. Laser hair removal (1 million procedures) was among the top 5 minimally-invasive procedures and more than 400,000 patients had laser skin resurfacing in 2008. Cosmetic breast procedures totaled nearly 400,000 procedures last year.
Special Program: "Hot Topics in Plastic Surgery" is being held on Fri., Oct. 23, 1:00 - 6:00PM PDT, at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center.
Editor's Note: Many of the procedures and technologies presented at Hot Topics in Plastic Surgery are currently under investigation and are presented for research and educational purposes. More scientific study is needed to determine efficacy and success rate. The ASPS and the Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation do not endorse the procedures or technologies presented in the panels and recommend that any reporting of the presented information be done responsibly with full disclosure of their unproven nature.
- Experimental Stem Cell Therapy Shows Promise in Peripheral Nerve Repair
- Embargo for Release: Saturday, October 24, 2009
The findings of an experimental study presented at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Plastic Surgery 2009 conference, Oct. 23-27, in Seattle, suggest adipose-derived (fat) stem cells (ASCs) may help in the healing process of peripheral nerve injuries. Injuries to the peripheral nervous system are major and can result in paralysis. In the study, ASCs were administered to a group of rats with sciatic nerve injuries. Analysis after three and six month intervals showed a statistically significant improvement between nerves treated with ASCs and those without. Plastic surgeons hope to use ASCs in treatment of peripheral never injuries because stem cells are able to differentiate into new nerve cells and may be able help to increase growth factors that promote regeneration.
Study: "Functional and Structural Repair of Peripheral Nerve Injury by Adipose-Derived Stem Cells: An Experimental Study" is being presented in electronic format, Sat., Oct. 24 - Mon., Oct. 26, at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center.
- Jury's In - Liposuctioned Fat, A Viable Alternative to Breast Implants
- Embargo for Release: Saturday, October 24, 2009
HEREThere's been some debate over the safety and effectiveness of fat injections for cosmetic breast augmentation primarily due to a lack of research and concern that fat may calcify and obscure mammograms, be mistaken for cancer growths, or be re-absorbed by the body. But a new study presented at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Plastic Surgery 2009 conference, Oct. 23-27, in Seattle, found using liposuctioned fat for breast augmentation may be a viable option for some women. The study looked at 50 women, ages 17-63, who had 55 fat grafting procedures (5 women were grafted twice) to their breasts with fat taken from their upper thighs, etc. To help make room for the injected fat and to increase the grafts' survival rate, patients wore a bra-like (external) tissue expander device several weeks before and after surgery. Long-term follow-up on patients ranged from 9 months to 5 years, with an average follow-up of 3 years.
The authors found:
- The procedure did not obscure mammography.
- No suspicious breast masses, nodules, or lesions that might interfere with cancer detection were reported.
- Excellent long term graft survival was achieved - graft survival averaged 85%.
- Average increase in breast volume at 6-12 months was 210 ml.
- Patients were pleased with the natural feel of their breasts and improved appearance of the liposuctioned areas.
- Procedure can safely be performed in 1.5 hours.
- Drawbacks included changes in breast volume were proportionate with BMI fluctuations and poor patient compliance with the use of the tissue expander device negatively affected breast volume.
By the Numbers: Breast augmentation was the most popular cosmetic surgical procedure in 2008, with more than 307,000 procedures performed, according to the ASPS. It's also the most commonly requested procedure among women.
Study: "Autologous Breast Augmentation with Liposuctioned Fat: A Fifty Patient Prospective Study Over Five Years" is being presented Sat., Oct. 24, 1:00 - 1:05PM PDT, at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center.
- Fat Injections Offer New "Perk" For Breast Lift Patients
- Embargo for Release: Saturday, October 24, 2009
The majority of women who have a breast lift require some degree of augmentation to fill out their breasts, in which case, breast implants are typically used. But, a new study presented at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Plastic Surgery 2009 conference, Oct. 23-27, in Seattle, found injecting fat into the breasts offers breast lift patients a new option for creating volume, provides superior fullness, and reduces some rates of complication seen with implants. Forty-six patients received fat injections to their breasts following a lift. The fat was taken from areas like the thigh or abdomen on the patient's body. After one-year, all patients had a significant improvement in breast size and shape and had breasts that were soft and natural in feel and appearance. Additionally, no abnormalities were reported in patients who had mammograms one-year postoperatively.
By the Numbers: More than 92,000 breast lifts were performed in 2008, up 75 percent since 2000, according to the ASPS.
Study: "Single Staged Mastopexy with Autologous Fat Grafting" is being presented Sat., Oct. 24, 1:05 - 1:10PM PDT, at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center.
- Say Goodbye to "Gummy" Smiles
- Embargo for Release: Saturday, October 24, 2009
There's new hope for people whose smiles reveal excessive gum lines, reveals a new study presented at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Plastic Surgery 2009 conference, Oct. 23-27, in Seattle. Ten female patients with excessive gum exposure were operated on between February and August 2008. The patients were filmed with a high-definition camera before the surgery and 6 months after. They were asked to perform their fullest smile and the maximum gum exposures were measured. The results: All patients experienced an aesthetic improvement in their smile with a reduction in gum exposure ranging from 1.59 mm to 4.83 mm. The procedure is done under local anesthesia and involves plastic surgeons making a series of incisions in the muscle that elevates the upper lip and lengthening the small piece of skin that connects the upper lip to the gums on the inside of the mouth.
By the Numbers: More than 1.6 million cosmetic surgical procedures were done in 2008, according to the ASPS.
Study: "The Efficiency of Gummy Smile Correction Using the Myotomy of the Elevator of the Upper Lip Muscle" is being presented Sat., Oct. 24, 1:00-1:05PM, at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center.
