Treatment Options for the Clinical Management of Axillary Breast Tissue.

Background: Axillary breast tissue includes any combination of fat, nipple, areolae, and glandular tissue alongside breasts and affects 2%-6% of women and 1%-3% of men. Patients may experience functional and/or cosmetic concerns due to axillary breast tissue. There are nonsurgical options for its removal, such as CoolSculpting and Kybella, and surgical options such as liposuction, BodyTite liposuction, and excision. Determining which technique to use in each case is critical in achieving an excellent outcome. Currently, there are no established treatment algorithms for the removal of axillary breast tissue. Methods: A retrospective review between January 1, 2013, and June 20, 2022, was performed. Data that were extracted included age, BMI, date of procedure, procedure, fat suctioned, tissue excised, and follow-up period. The authors analyzed outcomes and formulated a treatment algorithm based on tissue type (fat versus glandular), amount of tissue excess, skin laxity, and accessory nipple presence. Results: A total of 43 patients (83 axillae) met our inclusion criteria and were included in our analysis. All patients were female with a mean age of 35.5 ±â€…10.9 years, a mean BMI of 23.0 ±â€…3.1, and a mean follow-up period of 8.8 ±â€…11.1 months. For inclusion, patients had to have undergone CoolSculpting, liposuction, BodyTite liposuction, liposuction with excision, or excision alone. All patients tolerated the procedures well and reported no serious complications. Conclusions: Nonsurgical and surgical removal of axillary breast tissue is safe and effective. The algorithm presented can be utilized by plastic and reconstructive surgeons to ensure optimal results for axillary breast tissue removal.

A 9-Year Review of Ethics Complaints to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

PURPOSE: The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) provides an avenue for filing formal complaints regarding unethical behavior of Members. These complaints are investigated by the Ethics Committee and referred to the Judicial Council if a violation may have occurred. METHODS: A review of complaints filed with the ASPS from 2013-2021 was performed. Data surrounding both complaints and complainant type were reviewed, as well as region of complaint origin. Categories of violations resulting formal investigations and Judicial Council referrals were also reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 584 complaints were filed with the ASPS Ethics Committee from 2013-2021, which was nearly 100 fewer than from a prior review of 2004-2008. Twenty-one percent of complaints were formally investigated by the Ethics Committee, and 26% of these were referred to the Judicial Council. The most common complaint investigated was related to advertising/misleading communications, whereas the most common complaint referred to the Judicial Council was regarding expert testimony. Most complaints were filed by ASPS members. CONCLUSIONS: The total number of complaints filed decreased significantly, the reasons for which are unclear. Evolution of culture and thought likely impacted not only specific behaviors, but also the likelihood of reporting those behaviors. It remains incumbent on plastic surgeons to utilize the self-regulating mechanisms available in order to maintain the autonomy we enjoy as a profession.

A Systematic Review of Nonsurgical Vulvovaginal Restoration Devices: An Evidence-Based Examination of Safety and Efficacy.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy and safety of vulvovaginal restoration devices were called into question in a U.S. Food and Drug Administration statement on July 30, 2018, claiming that women are being harmed by laser and other energy-based devices. The goal of this systematic literature review was to assess existing data, determine gaps in evidence, and propose opportunities for continued investigation pertaining to laser and energy-based vaginal restoration techniques. METHODS: A review of literature using PubMed, Cochrane Library databases, Embase, MEDLINE, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature was conducted on January 9, 2019, and articles up to this point were considered. For inclusion, studies had to be available or translated in English and relate to clinical medicine, direct patient care, and nonsurgical energy-based vulvovaginal procedures. RESULTS: The authors found five level I studies, 19 level II studies, four level III studies, and 46 level IV studies that used 15 different devices. Various degrees of improvement of symptoms were reported in all studies. Adverse events/side effects were noted in two of the 13 radiofrequency device studies, 15 of the 23 erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet device studies, and 17 of the 37 carbon dioxide device studies. The majority of adverse events were considered mild. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of studies resulted in mild to no adverse side effects. However, there is a large gap in level I evidence. As a result, the authors emphasize the necessity of supplemental data surrounding this subject and suggest that additional randomized sham-controlled studies be conducted to further investigate vulvovaginal restoration devices in an effort to address women's health issues.

The Ethical and Professional Use of Social Media in Surgery: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Although certain medical societies have released guidelines on the use of social media, plastic surgery, with its inherent visual nature and potential for sensationalism, could benefit from increasing direction regarding the ethical use of social media. The authors hypothesized that although general platitudes for use exist in the literature, guidelines articulating the boundaries of professional use are nonspecific. Systematic searches of MEDLINE, Embase.com, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were completed on January 18, 2017. Searches consisted of a combination of Medical Subject Headings terms and title and abstract keywords for social media and professionalism concepts. In addition, the authors manually searched the three highest impact plastic surgery journals (ending in October of 2017). Two authors screened all titles and abstracts. Studies related to clinical medicine, patient care, and the physician-patient relationship were included for full-text review. Articles related to surgery merited final inclusion. The initial search strategy yielded 954 articles, with 28 selected for inclusion after final review. The authors' manual search yielded nine articles. Of the articles from the search strategy, 10 were published in the urology literature, eight were published in general surgery, six were published in plastic surgery, three were published in orthopedic surgery, and one was published in vascular surgery. Key ethical themes emerged across specialties, although practical recommendations for professional social media behavior were notably absent. In conclusion, social media continue to be a domain with potential professional pitfalls. Appropriate use of social media must extend beyond obtaining consent, and plastic surgeons must adhere to a standard of professionalism far surpassing that of today's media culture.

Determinants of aesthetic satisfaction following TRAM and implant breast reconstruction.

INTRODUCTION: Several studies have evaluated patient satisfaction following breast reconstruction with the transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap and tissue expander/implant. However, the specific aesthetic determinants of patient satisfaction have not been determined. METHODS: Patients who had undergone tissue expander/implant or TRAM flap reconstruction were retrospectively polled on their age, type and timing of reconstruction, mastectomy type, laterality of reconstruction, adjuvant therapy, and symmetrizing and nipple-areolar procedures. Aesthetic satisfaction based on breast shape, symmetry of breast shape, breast size, symmetry of breast size, breast scarring, and breast sensation was assessed using a 5-point scale. RESULTS: Two hundred eleven patients with 105 TRAM flaps and 160 expander/implants responded. Unilateral TRAM recipients rated their breast shape, symmetry of breast shape, and symmetry of breast volume significantly higher than did implant patients. When bilateral reconstruction patients were evaluated, no significant differences were seen. The presence of nipple-areolar reconstruction positively influenced every parameter except breast sensation. Immediate reconstruction, skin-sparing mastectomy, and age >60 years at the time of reconstruction were also associated with higher scores, while postoperative radiation therapy resulted in lower satisfaction. Free flap reconstruction produced higher satisfaction in breast shape and breast scarring when compared with pedicle flap reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Aesthetic satisfaction after breast reconstruction is highly influenced by the presence of nipple-areolar reconstruction and less so by age, timing of reconstruction, adjuvant therapy, or free flap procedures. The type of reconstructive procedure is a significant variable only in unilateral reconstruction.