Dear Reporter:

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® (PRS) is the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the most widely read plastic surgery journal in the world. It provides information on the latest techniques and developments in all areas of cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, focusing on innovative surgical advances and new clinical findings. For your convenience, listed below are descriptions of two studies from the June issue of PRS that may be of particular interest:

• Psychological Issues in Mastectomy Patients Found to Lower Patient Satisfaction Following Breast Reconstruction
  While most women with breast cancer who undergo mastectomy seem to cope well, some will suffer significant distress, anxiety, depressive symptoms and other psychological disorders. Breast reconstruction has been viewed as a way of restoring dimensions of a women’s psychological health. According to the study, a patient’s pre-surgical psychological state is an important predictor of their post-surgical satisfaction with breast reconstruction. Mastectomy patients presenting with psychological issues such as distress, anxiety, depression, and body image issues prior to breast reconstruction were found to be less satisfied with their general and aesthetic surgical outcome. The study suggests that select referral of symptomatic patients for psychiatric evaluation and treatment may help to enhance patient satisfaction. More than 56,000 breast reconstructions were performed last year, according to ASPS statistics. (Study title: Psychological Factors Predict Patient Satisfaction with Post-mastectomy Breast Reconstruction)
• What is the Ideal Eyebrow? A Brow Tailored Specifically to Your Facial Shape, Study Finds
  The eyebrows play an important role in facial beauty, expression and facial rejuvenation. In the medical world, it has long been accepted that the ideal facial shape is oval (typical of most fashion models) and that the eyebrow tailored to fit the oval facial shape reigns supreme. But according to the study, the ideal eyebrow shape may not be well suited for every facial shape. In the study, photos of five models were digitally altered and their faces were morphed into various facial shapes (oval, round, square, long). One set of photos included the classic, ideal eyebrow; the other, an eyebrow tailored to that facial shape. Seventy-eight people were asked at random to identify which face they believed was more attractive. There were no significant differences in the oval and round faces, however; 63 percent of respondents found the photos of the square face to be more attractive with a tailored eyebrow, as opposed to the classic, ideal brow. While 59 percent found the photos of the long facial shape to be more attractive with a tailored brow. These findings will help in the pre-surgical evaluation of patients having a brow-lift to help achieve optimal results. This is the first study of its kind that examines facial shape as it relates to brow aesthetics. (Report title: The Influence of Brow Shape on the Perception of Facial Form and Brow Aesthetics)

If you would like a copy of these studies, an interview with spokespersons, or have questions about PRS, or any other aspect of cosmetic or reconstructive plastic surgery, please contact LaSandra Cooper, ASPS senior media relations associate; Pam Anton, ASPS senior media relations associate; Brian Hugins, ASPS media relations associate; or Brittney Theriault, ASPS public relations coordinator, at 847-228-9900 or email media@plasticsurgery.org.

Sincerely,
Rod Rohrich, MD,
Editor Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery