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  • Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine - Disease Topic Overview

    Plastic surgery and aesthetic medicine, or cosmetic surgery as it is more commonly known, are often associated with the enhancement of normal appearance. However, these specialties also include reconstructive surgeries following cancer or severe burns and the repair of congenital abnormalities.

    Treatment for many cancers involves the surgical removal of the tumor which, in the case of breast and skin cancers, can leave a visible change in appearance. The immediate reconstruction of the breast following a mastectomy has become common practice; providing better outcomes, and reducing the economic burden of secondary hospitalisation.1

    Initial treatment for full thickness burns is ultimately used to prevent infection in the absence of the skin as a natural barrier.2 Infection control has improved survival rates and as a consequence the need for functional and aesthetic reconstructive surgery has also increased.2 Reconstructive surgery is performed once the burns have healed.2 At this time aesthetic procedures aim to remove the constant reminder of what has often been a traumatic injury.

    Shortly after birth neonates who have been born with a congenital abnormality, such as a cleft lip and/or palate, undergo surgery. This is an example of plastic surgery that is both aesthetic and functional; restoring oral competence is essential to allow the neonate to suck, and therefore feed.3

    Aesthetic surgery for the enhancement of normal appearance has become more widely accepted in society in the past decade. Procedures range from blepharoplasty and facelifts to breast augmentations and reductions.4 Non-surgical aesthetic procedures are also used to enhance appearances and reduce the signs of ageing. These include procedures such as botulinum toxin (Botox) injections and chemical peels.5

    1. Karp N. et al. Reconstruction Following Surgery for Breast Cancer. Breast Cancer (Second Edition). Elsevier Inc. 2005 : 461-498.
    2. Herndon D. Total Burn Care. Elsevier Health Sciences. Third edition. 2007 : 880 pages.
    3. Tibesar R. et al. Surgical Repair of a Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate. Operative Techniques in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. December 2009 ; 20 (4) : 245-255.
    4. Duncan C.O. et al. Demographics and Macroeconomic Effects in Aesthetic Surgery in the UK. British Journal of Plastic Surgery. September 2004 ; 57 (6) : 561-566.
    5. Bennett M. Introduction to Cosmetic Dermatology. Current Problems in Dermatology. March-April 2003 ; 15 (2) : 43-83.

Latest Multi Media

A Discussion on Breast Reconstruction Following Mastectomy

Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine Drug Data - A-Z English


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To determine whether, in obese children with moderate-severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea who are prescribed Positive Airway Pressure(PAP) therapy, increased hours of PAP usage per night over a one-year period is associated with a greater improvement in HOMA-IR
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This study aims to investigate 1.whether sleep extension results in improvements of endocrine and metabolic markers of obesity and diabetes in obese teenagers, 2.the relationship between habitual sleep quality and duration and markers of obesity and diabetes in lean and obese teenagers

Latest Journal Publications

Breast
This prospective trial was designed to assess aesthetic outcomes of oncoplastic surgery. Standardized photographs were taken of 45 breast cancer patients undergoing oncoplastic surgery, preoperatively and 6 and 12 months postoperatively (oncoplastic group), and of 45 patients treated by conservative surgery without breast reconstruction (control group). Photographs were assessed by senior male and female physicians, 2 breast surgeons and 2 plastic surgeons. Aesthetic outcomes were evaluated using patients' own assessments (rated 0 to 10) and scoring by panelists (using 0 to 10 global rating scales and a subscales system). Patients in both groups scored the aesthetic outcomes better than physicians did. Panelists and patients considered aesthetic outcomes of oncoplastic group better than control group outcomes. Patients and plastic surgeons attributed progressively higher grades to outcomes of oncoplastic group at 6 and 12 months postoperatively; breast surgeons did not. Overall, female physicians and breast surgeons scored better the aesthetic outcomes of both groups.
Aesthetic Surgery Journal
Background: American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) survey data showed a 16.7% decrease in the total number of aesthetic surgical procedures from 2008 to 2009, whereas plastic surgeons have seen an increase of 0.6% in their nonsurgical cosmetic procedures. Objective: The authors describe the results of two surveys—one administered to potential patients, one to physicians—assessing the impact of the economy on patient choices in aesthetic facial surgery. Methods: Two surveys were conducted for this study—one from the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (AAFPRS) and one from the Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation (ASERF). Both surveys utilized the unique maximum difference (MaxDiff) scaling format, which assesses respondent opinions through attribute/question grouping and multiple exposures to the same parameter, rather than traditional one-time questioning. In this way, MaxDiff analysis helped identify the varied drivers of patients’ medical antiaging treatment (MAT) selection. The AAFPRS survey was conducted online through Synovate’s Global Opinion Panel to identify an appropriate audience of potential patients. The ASERF survey contained both MaxDiff and traditional questions and was e-mailed to 2267 ASAPS members. Results: Data from the AAFPRS patient survey showed that 53% of respondents had been affected by the economy in their decisions regarding MAT procedures, with many seeking out less-costly options such as microdermabrasion. An overwhelming majority (95%) also reported that they would prefer a longer-lasting treatment over an immediate effect with shorter duration; furthermore, 60% felt that duration of treatment was more important than cost in selecting a facial aesthetic procedure. In the ASERF surgeon-based portion of the study, 61% of plastic surgeons felt that patients preferred long-lasting results over immediate ones, but 63% also reported that cost was a more important factor for their patients than duration. Conclusions: Extrapolating from the patient-reported survey preferences, the authors conclude that nonsurgical facial aesthetic treatment plans should currently be focused more on longevity rather than on immediate impact. There is currently a disconnect between patient preferences and surgeon perception of those preferences, which may be remedied with increased education for both groups. It is worth noting that many patients would be willing to accept a higher cost if it was correlated with a longer-lasting result.

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Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine