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Botox Decreases Pain for Breast Reconstruction Patients

Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 by copywriter

Botulinum toxin may help minimize post-operative pain in women who undergo breast reconstruction after a mastectomy, according to Dr. Allen Gabriel, who presented his study at the recent International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Congress.

The doctor conducted a 30-patient clinical trial for this off-label application of Botox, demonstrating that botulinum toxin type A can address post-operative pain.

Breast reconstruction (using silicone breast implants) typically involves the positioning of a temporary expander implant between layers of the chest muscle, which is filled with water to create a pocket where a permanent implant will reside. Pain can result from muscle contractions and spasms in response to the expansion.

Dr. Gabriel, along with his collaborator Dr. G. Patrick Maxwell, theorized that Botox injections could offer relief by temporarily paralyzing the muscle so that fewer spasms occur, resulting in less pain.

The clinical trial assigned 30 breast cancer patients—who all planned a mastectomy with silicone implant breast reconstruction—into two groups: one group had Botox injected into the chest muscle and the other received injections of saline solution as a placebo.

After surgery, the women who received the Botox injections were reportedly more comfortable than those who received placebo. The doctors measured patient responses three times during and after the procedure, noting that during days 7 to 45 of the recovery period, those that received Botox injections used significantly fewer doses of narcotics and muscle relaxants.

ISAPS Conducts International Survey of Plastic Surgeons – Reveals Worldwide Cosmetic Trends

Monday, August 16th, 2010 by copywriter

For the first time ever, data has been collected on worldwide number of cosmetic procedures performed by plastic surgeons. Thanks to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, we can better understand the growth of this medical specialty through an international survey.

The most popular cosmetic surgery, according to the data, is liposuction, followed by breast augmentation, eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty and tummy tuck. Although procedures varied among different countries, the U.S., Brazil, China, Mexico, India and Japan represented the bulk of the top five surgical procedures. The total estimated number of cosmetic procedures performed by board-certified (or equivalent) plastic surgeons was 17,295,557.

Interestingly, plastic surgeons reported more non-surgical procedures than surgical procedures, with the most common treatment being botulinum toxin injections (Botox or Dysport).

The survey data was released in time for the 20^th Biennial Congress of ISAPS, which is taking place right now in San Francisco. Read more on isaps.org or prnewswire.com

Tags: Botox, Liposuction
Posted in Breast Surgery, non surgical procedures | No Comments »

Study Compares Efficiency of Surgery Facilities: Ambulatory Center Vs. Hospital

Monday, July 26th, 2010 by copywriter

Plastic surgeons will often have the option to perform surgical procedures at a private ambulatory surgery center or in a hospital. Although either facility is considered safe, there are key differences that you may want to consider. One of those differences, according to a recent study, is the efficiency of the ambulatory surgery center.

The study in the American Journal of Surgery compared the hospital to the surgery center and showed that total facility time and the time intervals before and after surgery were longer in the hospital setting.

The authors had the opportunity to compare both facilities as their breast operations were relocated — from an ambulatory surgery center to a hospital. The records of 92 hospital patients and 92 ASC patients were then retrospectively analyzed to compare time intervals and other information.

Time intervals for surgical care were measured and reviewed by the authors and they found that on average, total facility time was 69 minutes shorter in the ambulatory surgery center. Most significant was the 55-minute difference in the preoperative time period – “the time from the entrance into the holding area to entrance into the operating room.”

Based on the findings, they argue that outpatient surgery is more efficient when performed at a dedicated outpatient center. Also, if the time saving practices used at the surgery center are incorporated at the hospital, it could increase efficiency in that setting.

Read the study “Outpatient surgery performed in an ambulatory surgery center versus a hospital: comparison of perioperative time intervals” in the American Journal of Surgery (2010) 200, 64 – 67

Tags: hospital plastic surgeon
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Nurses Uncover Informational Needs of Breast Surgery Patients

Monday, June 28th, 2010 by copywriter

Breast surgery patients now have a wide range of information sources to reference before surgery. From outside sources like websites and brochures, or directly from your plastic surgeon, you can learn about what to expect during surgery.

However, a recent study by the American Society of Plastic Surgical Nurses argues that information provided about post-operative events of breast surgery is “fragmented, incomplete, or lacking.” By analyzing interviews with 48 patients, the authors of this article sought to uncover what patients are missing and report on the informational needs of women who undergo breast reconstruction, breast reduction, and breast augmentation.

They found 2 predominant themes among breast surgery patients: unexpected outcomes and helpful/unhelpful information. Both themes have some clinical implication for plastic surgeons performing breast surgery – namely, “the need for more comprehensive education to better prepare women undergoing breast surgery and to help create more realistic expectations.”

Most patients in the study reported a positive outcome and high satisfaction with their surgeries, but most of them also experienced an unexpected event. Swelling, numbness, discomfort, sensations in the skin, and a “just plain weird feeling and uncomfortableness” were reported by patients in the study group. Had these patients received more complete information before surgery, they would have been psychologically prepared for these events, the authors suggest.

Patients in the study also named the most useful information sources that prepared them for breast surgery:

The surgeon’s before and after photos
Stories about the experiences of other women
Online forums

These sources are readily available online, but you should still seek a plastic surgeon who is willing to provide comprehensive information about breast surgery and what to expect during your recovery.

You can read the article “Not What I Expected: Informational Needs of Women Undergoing Breast Surgery” through PubMed.gov or journal, Plastic Surgical Nursing.

Tags: Breast Augmentation
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Cohesive Silicone Gel Implants Still Being Studied

Monday, June 14th, 2010 by copywriter

If you’ve been researching breast augmentation lately, you’ve probably heard about the next generation “highly cohesive” silicone gel implants. If not, you may want to read up on the Natrelle 410 or the Mentor CPG 300 series breast implants.

A recent study published in Aesthetic Surgery Journal compares the outcomes of both breast implants and studies the potential processes that may improve breast augmentation with the new prosthetics.

The authors evaluated data on breast aesthetics, quality of life, patient satisfaction, surgeon satisfaction, and adverse events.

After breast augmentation with highly cohesive silicone gel implants, doctors followed up on patients 16 to 77 months later. “The outcome data indicate that these devices produce natural-appearing breasts with extremely low aggregate reoperation rate (4.2%), writes study author Mark Jewell M.D. Between the two breast implant manufacturers, the study showed measurable differences in the incidence of visible implant rippling.

To learn more, read the abstract on PubMed.gov for “A comparison of outcomes involving highly cohesive, form-stable breast implants from two manufacturers in patients undergoing primary breast augmentation”

Read more about breast augmentation in Philadelphia

Tags: breast implantation
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Bulletproof Breast Implants: A Survival Story in the News

Monday, March 1st, 2010 by copywriter

A plastic surgeon is hoping that his patient’s story of surviving workplace violence implants2 will motivate manufacturers of breast implants to pay for her reconstructive surgery.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Lydia Carranza was shot in the chest last year, causing her implant to deflate and leaving her with scars. Much worse was the traumatic experience and death of her co-worker. When a man opened fire in her office, Lydia was shot twice, with one shot intending to kill: “The bullet fragments were millimeters from her heart and her vital organs” said Dr. Ashkan Ghavami to the Times.

The presence of Lydia’s saline breast implant could have been the deciding factor between life and death, according to a firearms instructor interviewed about the story, who also mentions that, of course, breast implants are not “the equivalent of a bulletproof vest.”

When to Consider Revision Breast Augmentation

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010 by copywriter

Today’s post is by a guest blogger. Michelle had a breast augmentation years ago and is now considering a revision surgery. She did some research and wrote about her experience for this article.

How often should breast implants be replaced?

Breast implants do not have an expiration date and there is no requirement to have them replaced at ten years Researchers can give us general estimates about their longevity:

According to the Institute of Medicine, the average life expectancy of a breast implant is 16 years.
FDA studies of silicone breast implants suggest that most implants last 7-12 years.

However, some breast implants clearly last much longer. So there really is no definitive recommendation. Speaking for myself, I am at 25 years and counting. My breast implants have far outlasted my marriage!

“Breast implants do not last forever,” warns the FDA. “If you decide to get breast implants, you will likely need additional surgeries on your breasts over your lifetime due to rupture, other complications or unacceptable cosmetic outcomes. However, as long as the breast implant is intact and you are not experiencing any complications, there is no real need to have a breast implant revision.

After 25 years, I am not experiencing any major complications or significant positioning problems, even after two pregnancies and breastfeeding – but I am still considering breast implant replacement. I want to be proactive and avoid any complications. I also want to benefit from new technology and use this opportunity to achieve a new look.

Breast implant revision involves the removal or replacement of your current breast implants. An evaluation and possibly replacement of breast implants is recommended around 15 years after breast augmentation. Evidence shows that somewhere between 10 and 20 years after surgery, most women will either be experiencing some type of complication or desire an improved appearance of the breast. Over time, positioning changes may occur because of accidents or natural causes.

A revision surgery provides a chance to (once again) alter shape and size. After all, it is a whole new decade and your lifestyle is quite likely different than when you originally chose to get breast implants.

Got a question or comment about Michelle’s post? Email Her

Tags: breast implant removal, breast implant repair
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