EASAPS/ESPRAS Considerations in getting back to work in Plastic Surgery with the COVID-19 Pandemic - A European point of view.

The aim of this paper is to summarize the results of a consensus process and a European webinar of the two societies, European Association of Societies of Aesthetic Surgery (EASAPS) and the European Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Societies (ESPRAS) on what is considered safe practice based on the scientific knowledge we have today. This review of the current situations gives considerations which have to be taken into account when getting back to work in plastic surgery with COVID-19 in Europe. At all times, one should be familiar the local and regional infection rates in the community, with particular emphasis on the emergence of second and third waves of the pandemic. Due to the fast-evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic the recommendations aim to be rather considerations than fixed guidelines and might need to be revised in near future.

Evaluation of Safety and Efficacy of Laser Hair Removal With the Long-Pulsed 755 nm Wavelength Laser: A Two-Center Study With 948 Patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Laser hair removal is the most common laser therapy and the third most commonly performed procedure with more than one million treatments in United States in 2016. This retrospective study was conducted to assess long-term efficacy and safety of the 755 nm laser for hair removal. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nearly, 3,606 laser treatments were performed with the long-pulsed 755 nm wavelength laser equipped with an epidermal cooling device between 1997 and 2005 and were followed till 2013. Standardized assessments were conducted by two treating physicians and patients at two follow-up intervals. At first follow-up, clearance was assessed by two physicians and clearance and satisfaction by patients. At the second follow-up, patients were assessed if hair clearance sustained compared with the first follow-up. RESULTS: Nine hundred and forty-eight patients with Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV were treated with a total of 3,606 laser treatments in this study. The mean age at the beginning of the study was 35 years (±11), 95.1% of patients were female (n = 902) and 4.9% male (n = 46). Five hundred and seventy-four patients received a minimum of three treatments and an average of 5.31 (3-16) treatments on axilla, back, bikini, breast, abdomen, face, lower extremity, or upper extremity region. First, follow-up was conducted 3.9 (±1.5) years after the final laser treatment. Seventy-four percent of these patients received 75-100% clearance as reported by the physician and 48% clearance as reported by the patient. Fifty-two percent of patients reported slower hair growth and 42% change in hair texture. Ninety percent of patients treated on axilla, 82% treated on the bikini area, and 79% treated on lower extremities experienced 75% or more clearance after three treatments. Facial, as well as breast and abdomen treatments, only showed a 66% and 62%, respectively, after three treatments. For these locations, five and more treatments were needed to achieve a quote of 79% (face) or 80% (breast and abdomen) for a 75-100% clearance. Upper extremity and back treatments did not have enough physician ratings to draw conclusions. Long-term adverse events were minimal and were all located on the face (one patient scar, four patients herpes infection). Second follow-up of 173 patients was conducted after 11.5 years (±2.0) and 87.9% of patients reported that their improvement sustained. CONCLUSIONS: The long-pulsed 755 nm alexandrite laser is a safe and efficacious treatment for the reduction of unwanted body hair with permanent results and high patient satisfaction. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Placebo controlled, prospectively randomized, double-blinded study for the investigation of the effectiveness and safety of the acoustic wave therapy (AWT(®)) for cellulite treatment.

Placebo controlled double-blinded, prospectively randomized clinical trial with 17 patients (11 verum, 5 placebo) for evaluation of cellulite treatment with Acoustic Wave Therapy, (AWT(®)) was performed. The patients were treated once a week for 7 weeks, a total of 8 treatments with the D-ACTOR(®) 200 by Storz Medical AG. Data were collected at baseline, before 8th treatment, at 1 month (follow-up 1) and at 3 months (follow-up 2) after the last treatment with a patients' questionnaire, weight control, measurement of circumference and standardized photography. Treatment progress was further documented using a specially designed 3D imaging system (SkinSCAN(3D), 3D-Shape GmbH) providing an objective measure of cellulite (primary efficacy criteria). Patient's questionnaire in the verum group revealed an improvement in number and depth of dimples, skin firmness and texture, in shape and in reduction of circumference. The overall result (of skin waviness, Sq and Sz, surface and volume of depressions and elevations, Vvv and Vmp) at two follow-up visits indicates a more than medium sized superiority (MW = 0.6706) and is statistically significant (pWei-Lachin = 0.0106). The placebo group revealed no statistical significance. No side effects were seen. This indicates the efficacy and safety of AWT(®) for patients with cellulite.