A new study suggests that US health care spending is unlikely to decrease without significant restrictions and limitations. The study also highlights the importance of managing risks associated with common medications used by cosmetic surgery patients, including antidepressants and herbal supplements.
A review of bariatric surgery among women of reproductive age suggests that rates of adverse outcomes for mothers and newborns are lower after the procedure. Lower maternal complication rates were found in women who underwent bariatric surgery compared to those who were obese, with reduced rates of gestational diabetes and preeclampsia.
The journal marks a decade of publication with a special series on the art and science of facial plastic surgery, featuring topics such as wound healing, laser technology, and biomaterials. The Archives also covers advances in craniofacial surgery and facial reanimation.
A study by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons found that malnutrition significantly increases surgical complications in massive weight loss patients. Pre-surgery nutritional supplements can accelerate wound healing, improve scar quality, and boost patient energy levels, according to the ASPS.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports a decline in cosmetic surgical procedures due to the economic downturn, with regions like Northeast and Southeast being most affected. In contrast, minimally invasive procedures like Botox, chemical peels, and hyaluronic fillers have seen an increased demand.
Patients who received beta-blockers before and during non-cardiac surgery had higher rates of heart attack (2.94%) and death (2.52%) within 30 days compared to those who did not receive them. The study suggests that a low target preoperative heart rate is essential for the protective effect of beta-blockers.
Studies assess the impact of demographic factors on complication rates in body contouring patients. Men are found to be at higher risk for bleeding and fluid collection, while nutritional status and exercise participation may not significantly influence overall complication rates.
Four recipients of the ASPS Patients of Courage award have undergone extensive reconstructive plastic surgeries to restore their appearance. Erin Williams, Rachel Cooney, Missy Fish, and Sgt. Robert Bartlett use their experiences to help others struggling with life's obstacles.
Plastic surgeons are making significant advances in facial reconstruction using innovative technologies such as 3D modeling and prefabricated implants. These advancements benefit both wounded warriors and civilians hurt in inner-city violence or trauma.
Facial reanimation surgery uses microsurgical procedures to connect nerves and muscles, allowing people to smile again. Plastic surgeons also discuss rejuvenating aging smiles and enhancing the mouth region using various techniques and devices.
Research studies reveal strong associations between exposure to Bisphenol A, phthalates and flame retardants and adverse health effects on humans and laboratory animals. Exposure during fetal life or prior to weaning can disrupt brain development, reproductive systems, and behavior.
A UCLA study found that fat expansion in the eye socket is the primary cause of baggy lower eyelids with age, contrary to long-held theories. The researchers suggest incorporating fat excision into treatments for patients seeking to address this common complaint.
A study using MRI found that lower eyelids get fatter with age due to increased orbital fat. Plastic surgeons also discovered the importance of excision in treating under-eye bags during eyelid surgery. Meanwhile, body contouring procedures after gastric bypass surgery are performed by only 11.3% of patients.
A study found that large-volume breast reductions in morbidly obese women are as safe as for slimmer patients. Additionally, post-bariatric patients often experience nutritional deficiencies, which can impact wound healing and immune response, prompting plastic surgeons to recommend optimal nutrition.
A study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that office-based plastic surgery is as safe as hospital-based surgery, with a mortality rate of 0.002 percent. The study reviewed over 1.1 million procedures performed in accredited outpatient facilities.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons are urging ATV riders to follow safety tips to reduce the incidence of ATV-related injuries. Plastic surgeons treat thousands of patients with severe head trauma, eye injuries, disfiguring lacerations, and facial fractures from ATV accidents eac...
A study found that 83% of young athletes who underwent 'Tommy John' elbow reconstruction surgery were able to return to the same or better level of play. However, the increasing trend of young athletes requiring the surgery is alarming, highlighting the need for prevention and rest to avoid long-term arm injuries.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons predicts over 55 million cosmetic surgery procedures will be performed in 2015, a quadruple increase from 2005. Non-surgical procedures are expected to drive growth, with 88% of ASPS Member Surgeon procedures being non-surgical.
A study by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons found that after massive weight loss, the majority of patients desire body contouring plastic surgery. Younger, divorced women who had minimally-invasive gastric bypass surgery showed the strongest interest in these procedures. Additionally, breast reconstruction studies revealed that...
A comprehensive review of facial plastic surgery outcome measures identified 68 instruments, including patient-reported and clinical efficacy measures. The study found that most patient-reported measures were developed in the past decade and had varying levels of validation rigor.
Advances in breast reconstruction techniques, such as nipple-sparing mastectomy, DIEP flaps, and acellular dermis graft slings, are addressing the cosmetic issues left by lumpectomy. These innovative methods aim to create more natural-looking breasts with improved symmetry and aesthetics for breast cancer patients.
The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded $85 million in grant funding to the Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine to develop groundbreaking therapies for treating devastating war injuries. Plastic surgeons will play a pivotal role in this research, with a focus on improving wound healing and tissue repair through adult ste...
The EORTC Intergroup trial found that chemotherapy plus surgery on liver tumors improved progression-free survival by 26% in patients with colorectal cancer. Patients who received chemotherapy before and after surgery had a higher rate of progression-free survival compared to those who underwent surgery alone.
The collaboration between ophthalmology and facial plastic surgery has led to fresh approaches in clinical problems, exemplified by well-designed clinical studies. Articles in this issue of Archives of Ophthalmology showcase new technology and precise measurements during eyelid surgery.
Papers published in this issue highlight the value of multidisciplinary collaboration, revealing treatments that spare patients' eyes during cancer treatment and develop new techniques to increase orbital volume. These advancements demonstrate enormous opportunities for knowledge advancement through specialty collaboration.
A new plastic membrane with hourglass-shaped pores can separate carbon dioxide from methane at a faster rate than conventional membranes. This technology has potential to improve energy efficiency of water purification and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in natural gas processing.
A new modified plastic material, known as thermally rearranged (TR) plastic, has been developed to separate carbon dioxide from natural gas more effectively. The TR plastic works four times better than conventional membranes at separating out carbon dioxide through pores.
A recent study published in the Journal of Periodontology found that smokers experience greater residual gum recession after periodontal plastic surgery. The two-year study showed smokers had less desirable long-term outcomes compared to non-smokers. Quitting smoking before oral surgery can improve treatment success, according to experts.
A study of 12 patients undergoing male-to-female gender reassignment found that nasal surgery resulted in more feminine facial profiles. The procedure was highly effective, with most patients very satisfied with the results and reporting significant improvements in their overall perception of themselves as female.
A new study from NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center found that breast reductions of less than 500 grams per breast greatly eased women's back, neck, and shoulder pain. The procedures also improved their quality of life by allowing them to exercise more and engage in a wider variety of activities.
A study by Andrea Dietrich at the American Chemical Society meeting found that cPVC has a low odor potential, while HDPE had the highest odor production. The researchers also discovered that certain types of plastic piping can leach organic compounds into drinking water.
Researchers have developed plastic railway sleepers made from waste polystyrene and polyethylene, which can last for centuries compared to wood or concrete sleepers. These biodegradable sleepers also provide a cost-effective solution for Network Rail's goal of using 23% recycled material by 2012.
Researchers have pushed the efficiency of plastic solar cells to over 6%, a significant milestone in developing sustainable energy solutions. The new record is attributed to creating nano-filaments within light-absorbing plastic, allowing for thicker absorbing layers and increased sunlight capture.
Dr. Yueh-Lin Loo at the University of Texas at Austin has developed a plastic with changeable conductivity, which can be altered during manufacturing to meet the needs of future electronic devices. This breakthrough could lead to flexible, inexpensive wiring in products such as military camouflage and foldable electronic displays.
A University of Manchester engineer has pioneered a way to make single-layered planar plastic transistors and diodes using fast and simple printing techniques. This could lead to the production of information displays that can be rolled up, intelligent tickets for public transport systems, and electronic stamps for letters and packages.
Scientists have developed a new type of environmentally friendly plastic that breaks down in seawater, reducing the need for storage on ships. The biodegradable plastics could replace conventional plastics used in various applications at sea, including stretch wrap, food containers, and eating utensils.
Researchers have discovered a new type of plastic that can conduct electricity as well as current semiconductors, enabling mobile phones and other devices to withstand accidental drops. This material has the potential to revolutionize consumer electronics, making products cheaper and more durable.
A study by University of Florida nurse researcher Cynthia Figueroa-Haas found that breast augmentation improves women's self-esteem and sexual satisfaction. The study revealed significant increases in ratings of sexual desire, arousal, and satisfaction among participants. However, Figueroa-Haas warns that plastic surgery should not be ...
A new calibration technique helps plastic surgeons use computer imaging software to analyze and balance facial features before and after surgery. The study found that patients who underwent combined rhinoplasty and chin correction showed improvements in facial proportions, with increased distances between key landmarks.
A study at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons annual meeting found that plastic surgery can lead to a significant decrease in antidepressant medication use among patients. Cosmetic surgery procedures such as breast augmentation, tummy tucks, and facelifts were associated with improved self-esteem and reduced antidepressant needs.
A study presented at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting found that approximately one-third of breast cancer patients are dissatisfied with their cosmetic result after undergoing a lumpectomy. Many patients consider reconstruction to improve their physical appearance.
A study presented at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons annual meeting found that breast asymmetry surgery significantly improves vitality, mental health, and self-esteem in patients. The procedure can elevate quality of life and reduce emotional distress associated with the condition.
Four inspirational patients - Lillie Shockney, Ashley McGrath, Susan Carlisle, and Marine Sergeant Oscar Canon - were honored with the Patients of Courage: Triumph Over Adversity awards for their courageous actions after undergoing life-altering reconstructive plastic surgery. The awards recognize their determination to help others des...
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed stronger and less expensive wood-plastic composites that can use inexpensive plastics found in old carpet fibers. These new products have the potential to capture 20% of the decking market by 2010, reducing waste disposal concerns.
Functional rhinoplasty techniques improve nasal airway function by addressing septal deviation, valve collapse and turbinate hypertrophy. Surgical procedures significantly reduce patient scores indicating improved nasal obstruction severity, with similar rates of improvement seen across different techniques.
A new scoring system can help determine which patients are at the lowest risk of dying after gastric bypass surgery. The system is based on five easy-to-identify patient characteristics and provides a standardized way to compare outcomes among centers performing the surgery.
The study found that patients with extreme obesity who underwent gastric bypass surgery experienced significant reductions in blood pressure. The majority of these patients were able to reduce or eliminate their blood pressure medications after surgery, while those with normal blood pressure showed no significant changes.
A special strain of soil bacterium Pseudomonas putida converts polystyrene foam into a biodegradable plastic called PHA, which can be used in medicine and disposable items. The process might also be used to convert other types of discarded plastics into PHA, reducing plastic waste.
The study found that all 55 percent of plastic surgery patients using herbal supplements took at least two different supplements daily, posing bleeding, respiratory, and immunosuppression risks. Patients should inform doctors about natural supplements to ensure safe discontinuation periods and smooth recoveries.
Facial plastic surgeons have found that complication rates are unaffected by the length of anesthesia, contradicting existing guidelines. The study analyzed 1,200 patients and found only three cases of major complications across all patient groups.
A study of 1,200 facial plastic surgery patients found no correlation between longer anesthesia duration and increased complications. The authors conclude that regulatory bodies need data-driven guidelines to avoid over-regulation.
A recent trial found that a 13-day perioperative course of oral amiodarone significantly reduced the incidence of atrial tachyarrhythmias after cardiac surgery, particularly in older patients and those undergoing valve surgery. This effective therapy also showed promise in reducing hospital stay and associated healthcare costs.
Between 1998 and 2002, laparoscopic bariatric surgery operations increased from 2.1% to 17.9% of total procedures, while Roux-en-Y gastric bypass rose from 78% to 92%. This growth is attributed to surgeons' increased use of the minimally invasive technique and patients' greater acceptance of the procedure.
A study published in Neurology found that depression and anxiety disorders decreased by over 50% two years after epilepsy surgery. Participants who underwent successful surgery without seizures were more likely to be free from depression and anxiety.
A recent study published in Neurology found that epilepsy surgery significantly improves mental health outcomes for patients. After the surgery, 9% of participants met the criteria for depression, compared to 22% before surgery. The study suggests removing dysfunctional brain areas may be critical to improving mental well-being.
A study by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons found that men with high blood pressure after undergoing a facelift had a significantly lower incidence of hematoma. To minimize this risk, patients should have their blood pressure controlled before surgery and manage it with their primary care physician.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a plastic diode that can transmit electrical current at room temperature, paving the way for flexible and low-power computer chips. The diode's design lends itself to easy manufacturing and has achieved strong quantum mechanical effects without manipulating individual molecules.
A study by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons found that women have 34 nerve fibers per square centimeter of facial skin compared to men's 17, leading to a lower pain tolerance. This difference has significant implications for post-operative pain treatment in women.
Researchers have developed tiny rubber balls that can be embedded in plastics to improve adhesion and toughness. The core-shell particles are tailored to join with any plastic or ceramic, solving issues of adhesion found with untailored rubber particles.
A study of 644 people considering plastic surgery found that almost 30% had average household incomes under $30,000 and 85% were Caucasian. The majority (75%) wanted to gain physical benefits, such as improved appearance, while also expecting emotional and psychological improvements.