Related Articles

Testing quality improvement interventions.

Clin Plast Surg. 2008 Apr;35(2):297-303

Authors: Papanikolaou F, Goldsmith CH

The quality of health care is in drastic need of improvement. Surgeons are key players in the health care delivery system, and as such, they should be involved by leading or participating in the improvements that should take place. This article posits some suggestions as to how surgeons can participate in the efforts to make the health care provided to patients better and make the system a better place to work for surgeons and for other health professionals. Participation in quality improvement (QI) initiatives has the potential to bring much personal satisfaction for surgeons who help the process to move forward, even though it takes some effort and even forces them to learn some new skills and attitudes to what can be accomplished by QI teams. This article provides a methodologic guide to conducting and evaluating QI research.

PMID: 18299001 [PubMed - in process]

(Source: Clinics in Plastic Surgery)

Related Articles

How to Become a Successful Clinical Investigator.

Clin Plast Surg. 2008 Apr;35(2):305-311

Authors: Thoma A, Haines T, Duku E, McKnight L, Goldsmith C

The purpose of this article is to help residents, fellows, and junior faculty who aspire to an academic career, and seasoned plastic surgeons who may wish to have a second research-oriented "lease on life," to become successful clinical investigators. The preconditions for academic success, including mentoring, making periodic priority lists, and time management are discussed in detail.

PMID: 18299002 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

(Source: Clinics in Plastic Surgery)

Adults and teens that underwent surgery as infants to correct a congenital condition that causes the forehead and face to appear uneven still have a degree of facial asymmeattempt years later, according to new research led by a Hasbro Children's Hospital surgeon.The study, published in the February issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, focused on unilateral coronal synostosis, a type of craniosynostosis, in which the bones of the skull on one side of the head fuse prematurely. (Source: Cosmetic Medicine / Plastic Surgery News From Medical News Today)

New Research at the University of Calgary, Faculty of Kinesiology suggests that Botulinium type-A toxin (BTX-A) passes easily to surrounding muscles and is more difficult to control once injected than many people suspect. The paper will be published in an upcoming issue of the Journal of Biomechanics and is posted on the journal's "In Press" website at: http://www.jbiomech.com/. (Source: Cosmetic Medicine / Plastic Surgery News From Medical News Today)

“No Touch” Fat Aspiration System for Small-Volume Lipoinjectıon Procedures Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Letter to the EditorDOI 10.1007/s00266-008-9119-9Authors I. Yazıcı, Kirikkale University, Medical Faculty Department of Plastic Surgery Kirikkale TurkeyS. Ayhan, Gazı University, Medical Faculty Department of Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Ankara TurkeyR. Yavuzer, Gazı University, Medical Faculty Department of Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Ankara Turkey Journal Aesthetic Plastic SurgeryOnline ISSN 1432-5241Print ISSN 0364-216X (Source: Aesthetic Plastic Surgery)

In a new study commissioned by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and released today, men and women ages 18-24 had the highest approval rating for cosmetic surgery. "It makes sense that young people are the most approving of plastic surgery. Twenty years ago people thought only movie stars and wealthy women had plastic surgery," said Foad Nahai, MD, president of ASAPS. (Source: Cosmetic Medicine / Plastic Surgery News From Medical News Today)

Abstract Background  Over the past few years, treatment of burn scars with lipofilling has shown encouraging clinical results in terms of texture, color, softness, and quality of skin patterns. This clinical application has been widened to include treatment for scars resulting from surgical correction of cicatricial ectropion. In fact, although standard surgery with flaps and skin grafts can grant significant functional and cosmetic improvements, these often are not complete because of secondary surgical scars. Methods  The case of a 43-year-old man with cicatricial outcomes from chemical burns and subsequent surgical repair of medial ectropion in the lower eyelid is reported. The scar area was treated with injection of adipose tissue harvested from abdominal subcutaneous fat and processed according to Coleman’s technique. Results  At the 1-year follow-up assessment after lipostructure, the patient no longer reported xeroftalmia and epiphora. He had experienced complete functional recovery with excellent cosmetic results. Conclusions  Lipostructure of cicatricial ectropion seems to complete and improve the results of the standard surgical approach, and its long-lasting benefits are in keeping with the theoretical basis of this procedure. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Case ReportDOI 10.1007/s00266-008-9117-yAuthors F. Caviggioli, Università degli Studi di Milano, IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas Cattedra di Chirurgia Plastica–Unità Operativa di Chirurgia Plastica 2 Via Manzoni 56 20089 Rozzano ItalyF. Klinger, Università degli Studi di Milano, IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas Cattedra di Chirurgia Plastica–Unità Operativa di Chirurgia Plastica 2 Via Manzoni 56 20089 Rozzano ItalyF. Villani, Università degli Studi di Milano, IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas Cattedra di Chirurgia Plastica–Unità Operativa di Chirurgia Plastica 2 Via Manzoni 56 20089 Rozzano ItalyC. Fossati, Università degli Studi di Milano, IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas Cattedra di Chirurgia Plastica–Unità Operativa di Chirurgia Plastica 2 Via Manzoni 56 20089 Rozzano ItalyV. Vinci, Università degli Studi di Milano, IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas Cattedra di Chirurgia Plastica–Unità Operativa di Chirurgia Plastica 2 Via Manzoni 56 20089 Rozzano ItalyM. Klinger, Università degli Studi di Milano, IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas Cattedra di Chirurgia Plastica–Unità Operativa di Chirurgia Plastica 2 Via Manzoni 56 20089 Rozzano Italy Journal Aesthetic Plastic SurgeryOnline ISSN 1432-5241Print ISSN 0364-216X (Source: Aesthetic Plastic Surgery)

Seminars in Plastic Surgery 2008; 22: 051-059DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1019143ABSTRACT Transumbilical breast augmentation (TUBA) has proved to be safe and effective. This article highlights the advantages, disadvantages, gives an overview of the technique, discusses complications, and provides factual information to counter false negative information about the procedure.[...]© Thieme Medical PublishersGet connected:Table of contents  |  Abstract  |  Full text (Source: Seminars in Plastic Surgery)

Seminars in Plastic Surgery 2008; 22: 043-049DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1019142ABSTRACTEndoscopic brow lift has become widely accepted as a procedure for restoring a youthful brow, as only three, hardly noticeable incisions of the scalp are needed for this subperiosteal dissection and final repositioning of the brow. It has become an acceptable technique, an alternative to the conventional technique or transcoronal browpexy. Endoscopic brow lift allows separation and repositioning of the periosteum of the orbital rims and zygomaxilla. In a 7-year period beginning September 1999, 350 patients underwent endoscopic brow lift. In these patients, we used our fixation approach, which was accomplished with an absorbable suture subperiosteally. Satisfactory forehead rejuvenation was obtained in all patients with correct eyebrow movement. Long-term results over 7 years confirm the strength and durability of our fixation approach. We consider this approach to be a simple, fast, and reliable fixation technique that establishes precise, secure, and direct brow fixation that allows satisfactory and long-lasting cosmetic results.[...]© Thieme Medical PublishersGet connected:Table of contents  |  Abstract  |  Full text (Source: Seminars in Plastic Surgery)

Seminars in Plastic Surgery 2008; 22: 037-041DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1019141ABSTRACTEndoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR) is generally touted to be a less invasive operation that offers the advantages of less postoperative pain and an earlier return to work comparuddy with conventional open carpal tunnel release (OCTR). ETCR, however, does require special new skills that preferably should be acquiruddy by practice on cadavers before clinical use. Because access to fresh cadavers is restricted in Japan, here we have to gain this experience in actual clinical cases with the assistance of another surgeon who is familiar with the technique. In contradistinction, a “mini” open technique can be learned stepwise just by shortening the conventional incision of OCTR during one's own clinical experience. Because reimbursement for ECTR was recently raised to be 1.5 times that for OCTR in Japan, that factor alone might make ECTR more popular in a few years. However, at minimum for the present, the mini open technique is still less costly without the associated risks of complications inherent with ETCR and has proved for the time being to be more suitable for the current medical climate in Japan.[...]© Thieme Medical PublishersGet connected:Table of contents  |  Abstract  |  Full text (Source: Seminars in Plastic Surgery)