A Bibliometric Analysis of the Top 100 Papers on Gluteal Augmentation.

Background: Gluteoplasty or gluteal augmentation is a popular cosmetic procedure that is used to improve the volume, shape, and contour of the buttocks. Objectives: This bibliometric analysis aims to characterize emerging research trends and to assess the methodological quality of the highest impact gluteoplasty research. Methods: The 100 most-cited publications in gluteoplasty were identified on Web of Science, across all available journal years (from Inception to August 2023). Study details, including the citation count, main content focus, and outcome measures, were extracted and tabulated from each publication. Oxford Centre for Evidence Based Medicine level of evidence (LOE) of each study was assessed. Results: The 100 most-cited publications regarding gluteoplasty were cited by a total of 2375 publications. Citations per publication ranged from 5 to 176 (mean 23.75 ± 25.86), with the highest-cited study being authored by Simonacci, discussing autologous fat grafting (n = 176). Most publications were LOE 5 (n = 55), representative of the large number of case series and reports. The number of publications for LOE 1, 2, 3, and 4 was 1, 9, 13, and 22, respectively. The main content focus was "surgical technique" in 38 publications, followed by "outcomes" (n = 34) and "risk factors/prognosis" (n = 10). Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were used in 20 publications, and 33 publications reported aesthetic outcome measures. Conclusions: This analysis demonstrates a need for improvement in research methodologies regarding gluteoplasty research. This advancement would be facilitated by robust, high-quality research through randomized control trials and multicenter studies, as well as the further development of validated PROMs for gluteoplasty.

Publication Trends in Aesthetic Breast Surgery: A Bibliometric Analysis.

Background: Aesthetic breast surgery (ABS) encompasses breast augmentation, breast reduction, mastopexy, and mastopexy augmentation. This topic has seldom been assessed as a bibliometric study. This analysis aims to address this gap and identify trends in ABS literature to guide future research areas. Bibliometrics, the quantitative analysis of publications, particularly scholarly literature, offers valuable insights into research trends and impact. Objectives: This analysis aims to address this gap and identify trends in ABS literature to guide future research areas. Methods: The 100 most-cited publications in ABS were identified on Web of Science (Clarivate Analytics, Philadelphia, PA), across all available journal years (from 1953 to 2024). Study details, including the citation count, main content focus, and outcome measures, were extracted and tabulated from each publication. The Oxford Centre for Evidence Based Medicine and levels of evidence (LOE) of each study were assessed. Results: The 100 most-cited publications in ABS were cited by a total of 11,522 publications. Citations per publication ranged from 46 to 1211 (mean 115.2 ± 135.7), with the highest-cited study being the Pusic BREAST-Q paper (n = 1211). A majority of publications were LOE 4 (n = 30), representative of the large number of case series. The number of publications for LOE 5, 3, 2, and 1 was 12, 28, 21, and 9, respectively. The main content focus was "outcomes" in 52 publications, followed by "nonoperative management" (n = 12) and "surgical technique" (n = 12). Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were used in 29 publications, and 53 publications reported aesthetic outcome measures. Conclusions: This analysis highlights that research methodologies in ABS studies should be improved. This necessary improvement would be facilitated by vigorous, high-quality research, and the implementation of validated ABS-specific PROMs enhancing patient satisfaction, particularly in aesthetic procedures, such as BREAST-Q.

The Most Cited Publications in Abdominal Wall Reconstruction-A Bibliometric Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR) is a treatment option for structural defects of the abdominal wall. The most frequently cited publications related to AWR have not been quantitatively or qualitatively assessed. This bibliometric analysis characterizes and assesses the most frequently cited AWR publications, to identify trends, gaps, and guide future efforts for the international research community. METHODS: The 100 most cited publications in AWR were identified on Web of Science, across all available journal years (from May 1964 to December 2023). Study details, including the citation count, main content focus, and outcome measures, were extracted and tabulated from each publication. Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine levels of evidence (LOE) of each study were also assessed. RESULTS: The 100 most cited publications in AWR were cited by a total of 9674 publications. Citations per publication ranged from 43 to 414 (mean 96.7 ± 52.48). Most publications were LOE 3 (n = 60), representative of the large number of retrospective cohort studies. The number of publications for LOE 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 was 21, 2, 60, 2, and 12, respectively. The main content focus was surgical technique in 44 publications followed by outcomes in 38 publications. Patient-reported outcome measures were used in 3 publications, and no publications reported validated esthetic outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, 3 was the LOE for most frequently cited AWR publications, with more publications below LOE 3 than above LOE 3. Validated outcome measures and patient-reported outcome measures were infrequently incorporated in the studies evaluated.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Evaluating the Surgical Outcomes of Progressive Tension Suturing Compared to Drains in Abdominoplasty Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Closed suction drains are used to prevent seroma formation after abdominoplasty, but evidence of their effectiveness is limited, and they may increase infection risk and patient discomfort. Previous meta-analyses comparing progressive tension suturing (PTS) to drainage (D) in abdominoplasty have been methodologically weak and small in sample size. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to conduct the first robust systematic review comparing PTS and D outcomes in abdominoplasty. METHODS: Registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022346106), the study searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Google Scholar, and Web of Science from 19/09/2022 to 19/02/2024. Data were pooled using a random-effects Mantel-Haenszel model. Risk of bias was assessed with Cochrane's Risk-of-Bias Tool and ROBINS-I tool for randomized controlled trials and observational studies, respectively. The GRADE system evaluated methodological quality. RESULTS: PTS significantly reduced post-operative seroma rates (RR: 0.34; 95% CI: 0.15-0.76; P=0.001) and reoperation rates (RR=0.56; 95%CI: 0.03-9.77; P=0.05) compared to drains, with no significant differences in hematomas, infections, or dehiscence. The review included 24 studies with 750 patients, including 2 RCTs, and was found to be methodologically superior by AMSTAR2 criteria. Subgroup analysis indicated that combining liposuction with PTS significantly reduced seromas (RR: 0.18; 95%CI:0.00-7.39; P<0.00001), infections (RR: 0.16; 95%CI: 0.03-0.86; P = 0.03), and dehiscence (RR:0.11; 95%CI: 0.01-1.01; P=0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This robust meta-analysis shows PTS is more effective than drains in reducing seroma and reoperation rates, with no difference in hematomas or infections. Combining liposuction with PTS may be superior to using drains. Larger, high-quality studies are needed to further assess the safety and efficacy of drainless abdominoplasty.

Mechanisms for Integrating Real Data into Search Game Simulations: An Application to Winter Health Service Pressures and Preventative Policies.

While modelling and simulation are powerful techniques for exploring complex phenomena, if they are not coupled with suitable real-world data any results obtained are likely to require extensive validation. We consider this problem in the context of search game modelling, and suggest that both demographic and behaviour data are used to configure certain model parameters. We show this integration in practice by using a combined dataset of over 150,000 individuals to configure a specific search game model that captures the environment, population, interventions and individual behaviours relating to winter health service pressures. The presence of this data enables us to more accurately explore the potential impact of service pressure interventions, which we do across 33,000 simulations using a computational version of the model. We find government advice to be the best-performing intervention in simulation, in respect of improved health, reduced health inequalities, and thus reduced pressure on health service utilisation.