Aesthetic Surgery Practice Resumption in the United Kingdom During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background The global COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted all aspects of healthcare, including the delivery of elective aesthetic surgery practice. We carried out a national, prospective data collection of the first aesthetic plastic surgery procedures carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. Objectives Our aim was to explore the challenges aesthetic practice is facing and to identify if any problems or complications arose from carrying out aesthetic procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Over a 6-week period from June 15 th-August 2 nd, 2020, data was collected using a proforma for aesthetic plastic surgery cases. All patients had outcomes recorded for the audit period of 14 days post-surgery. Results Our results demonstrated that none of the 371 patients audited whom underwent aesthetic surgical procedures developed any symptoms of COVID-19-related illness and none required treatment for any subsequent respiratory illness. Conclusions We found no COVID-19–related cases or complications in a cohort of patients who underwent elective aesthetic procedures under strict screening and infection control protocols in the early resumption of elective service.

ATUAÇÃO DO FARMACEUTICO NA ORIENTAÇÃO AO USO DA TOXINA BOTULÍNICA

O aumento da expectativa de vida no país tem atraído coletivamente maior atenção pela população, e seu bem-estar, incluindo autoestima e estética corporal e facial. Além disso, há também a busca pelos chamados padrões de beleza impostos pela sociedade. De acordo com os dados anuais da International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) em 2017, o Brasil foi o terceiro país em número de procedimentos estéticos não cirúrgicos, a aplicação de botox sendo o primeiro procedimento mais realizados. A aplicação da toxina botulínica no campo da beleza começou na década de 1990 e foi aprovada pela ANVISA para tratar rugas dinâmicas no Brasil em 2000, comercializada Marca Botox®. A marca Dysport foi aprovada em 2003 e a marca foi aprovada em 2005 foi a Prosigne. Desde então, a demanda e a aplicação desse método só aumentaram. O objetivo do presente trabalho é buscar validade e segurança da aplicação da toxina butolinica para tratamento de rugas dinâmicas e também a prevenção das mesmas, para fins estéticos.

standardised system of photography to assess cosmetic facial surgery

Standardisation of image acquisition in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery is critical to accurately communicate changes from cosmetic surgical and non-surgical interventions. Depth of Field, Exposure, Perspective and point of view are the four factors that need to be replicated between photographic sessions to accurately represent these changes without the introduction of photographic bias. Despite many excellent articles on standardisation in plastic surgery photography, no paper fully discusses the four areas that lead to consistency in photographs taken at different times. Depth of field, exposure, perspective and point of view cover all the variables required. We have a system which locks many variables in place, leaving final composition matching to the photographer, the only area that needs intelligent input. There are also misunderstandings in the literature about some of these that need explanation, particularly exposure and perspective.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Evaluating the Impact of Tranexamic Acid Administration in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Background Recent evidence suggests tranexamic acid (TXA) may improve outcomes in aesthetic surgery patients. Objectives This systematic review aimed to investigate the impact of TXA use in aesthetic plastic surgery on bleeding and aesthetic outcomes. Methods A systematic literature search was conducted to identify studies evaluating TXA use in aesthetic plastic surgery. The primary outcome of interest was perioperative bleeding, reported as total blood loss (TBL), ecchymosis, and hematoma formation. Meta-analyses analyzing TBL, and postoperative hematoma were performed. Results Of 287 identified articles, 14 studies evaluating TXA use in rhinoplasty (6), rhytidectomy (3), liposuction (3), reduction mammaplasty (1), and blepharoplasty (1) were included for analysis. Of 820 total patients, 446 (54.4%) received TXA. Meta-analysis demonstrated TXA is associated with 26.3mL average blood loss reduction (95% CI: -40.0mL to -12.7mL, p < 0.001) and suggested a trend toward decreased odds of postoperative hematoma with TXA use (OR: 0.280, 95% CI: 0.076 - 1.029, p = 0.055). Heterogeneity among reporting of other outcomes precluded meta-analysis; however, 5 of 7 studies found significantly decreased postoperative ecchymosis levels within 7 days of surgery, three studies found statistically significant reductions in postoperative drain output, and one study reported significantly improved surgical site quality for patients who received TXA (p = 0.001). Conclusions TXA is associated with decreased blood loss and a trend toward decreased hematoma formation in aesthetic plastic surgery. Its use has the potential to increase patient satisfaction with postoperative recovery and decrease costs associated with complications, including hematoma evacuation.

PEEK Implants: An Innovative Solution for Facial Aesthetic Surgery

The authors present a case report showing their experience with the use of PolyEtherEtherKetone (PEEK) implants as an innovative solution for the skeleton and soft tissues’ reshaping in facial aesthetic plastic surgery. This technique offers the surgeon a reliable and effective way to answer patients’ request of increasing volume and reshaping the malar area. A fifty-year-old patient complaining about hypoplasia of the malar area, after undergoing three operations of silicon implants’ placement and replacement, was still unsatisfied about the symmetry and feeling through the skin of the lower lid, the rim of the prostheses. The authors suggested the use of bone-anchored PEEK implants, to increase the volume and reshape the malar area by a skeleton and soft tissue camouflage. The treatment was planned and previewed on the preop 3-dimensional CT scans for the customization of the implants. Although no cases are reported in international literature on the use of this material in facial aesthetic surgery, this technique seems to offer a safe and effective solution for the treatment of patients asking to increase and modify the shape of their malar area. Custom made PEEK implants are already used in craniofacial reconstructive bony surgery with good results, and 3D CT scan planning is widely used in these cases. No complications were reported in the case reported and the outcomes seem to the authors and to the patient being, finally, satisfactory.