BDD Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Among Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons Worldwide.

BACKGROUND: Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a controversial topic in the field of plastic surgery. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to determine whether BDD knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) are affected by the experience of the surgeon in the field, sex of the surgeon, country of practice, and the number of patients the surgeon sees annually. We were particularly interested in uncovering any significant relations in KAP of BDD between plastic surgeons practicing in developed versus developing countries. METHODS: We created a two-page survey of 24 questions about the KAP of BDD. The survey was sent to aesthetic plastic surgeons worldwide via ISAPS global email list. The data were collected over a period of 20 days at the end of 2020. RESULTS: A total of 464 plastic surgeons completed the survey. The only factor that determines the awareness of BDD is the experience of the surgeon. The more experienced the surgeon is, the more likely he/she is to be familiar with the clinical picture of BDD. Although aware, the more experienced surgeons tend to dismiss the importance of referring BDD patients to psychiatrists/psychologists. Male surgeons tend to diagnose more patients with BDD than female surgeons. Surgeons who estimated the correct prevalence of BDD among patients seeking surgery acquired knowledge of BDD from scientific journals. The KAP is relatively similar between surgeons practicing in developed and developing countries, and the main statistically significant difference was in the questions used during the course of the interviews to diagnose BDD. CONCLUSION: We can deduce from the results that most aesthetic surgeons worldwide have got knowledge of the presentation of BDD and are keen to diagnose the disorder in their practice. It is worth noting that surgeons usually have their unique approach in the management of BDD. Our study highlights the importance of not only raising awareness of the best management of BDD, but also of establishing a consensus that BDD is a contraindication to aesthetic treatment. The best methods to raise awareness are through journals and plastic surgery residency. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors https://www.springer.com/00266 .

Transaxillary subpectoral augmentation mammaplasty: a single surgeon's 20-year experience.

BACKGROUND: Transaxillary subpectoral augmentation mammaplasty (TASPA) is not widely accepted due to perceived limitations in pocket access, visualization, control, and subsequent risk for postoperative complications. Current published data do little to substantiate or refute those claims. OBJECTIVE: A retrospective chart review of a single surgeon's 20-year experience with the TASPA technique was undertaken to assess the incidence of total secondary procedures, implant-related revisions, and reoperations unrelated to the implant. METHODS: The senior author (DCM) performed 1776 primary TASPA procedures from January 1989 through December 2008. Of those, 94 patients did not meet inclusion criteria, leaving a total of 1682 records for analysis. Data reviewed included age, date of surgery, race, implant size and type, manufacturer, and reasons for reoperation. RESULTS: Average age was 32.7 ± 8.1 years (range, 16-62). Average implant size was 438.5 ± 51.5 cc (range, 270-630). Implants from Allergan/Inamed/McGhan (Irvine, CA), Dow-Corning (Midland, MI), Mentor (Santa Barbara, CA), and Surgitek (Racine, PA) were inserted (n = 2094 saline, n = 1270 silicone). Mean follow-up time was 37.9 ± 45.4 months (range, one month to 19.8 years). Excluding staged mastopexies and treatment for breast cancer, total secondary procedures were required in 225 patients (13.4%). Implant-related revisions included malposition (2.97%), size change (2.5%), and capsular contracture (1.9%). Perioperatively, no infections occurred, and two patients (0.12%) experienced hematoma. Most reoperations (62.8%) were performed through the axilla. Comparison to published data showed an equal or lower rate of capsular contracture, hematoma, and infection with the TASPA approach. CONCLUSIONS: Given its advantages of an inconspicuous scar, decreased infection, and decreased capsular contracture, TASPA can be safely offered to patients as an option in breast augmentation.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy in the augmented breast: role of the transaxillary subpectoral approach.

Given the use of sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast cancer staging, some plastic surgeons may be hesitant to offer patients a transaxillary approach to augmentation for fear of disrupting the lymphatic drainage of the breast. Dissection within the axilla theoretically compromises the normal drainage of the breast tissue to the axillary lymph node basin, a critical element in the procedure of sentinel lymph node mapping. We present a case report in which successful sentinel lymph node biopsy was performed after transaxillary subpectoral augmentation mammaplasty. Remaining high and anterior in the axilla within the subcutaneous plane is crucial in minimizing any compromise of normal lymphatic drainage. In addition, it is generally agreed that subpectoral placement of the implant generates less distortion in the mammographic evaluation of the breast than does a subglandular implant. As a result, the transaxillary subpectoral method of augmentation may be one of the most amenable techniques with regard to screening and diagnosis of breast cancer. (Aesthetic Surg J 2003;23:184-187.).