Hoodplasty: Individualized Approach for Labiaplasties.

INTRODUCTION: Hoodplasties and labia minora reductions are some of the most requested operative procedures by women distressed with the appearance of their vulvar region. In the majority of cases, a concomitant hoodplasty (HP) is performed to achieve a better aesthetic appearance. Various surgical methods have been described for the removal of excess tissue within the clitoris hood area. MATERIALS AND METHOD: This study aims to describe a single surgeon's preference and results in her private practise in 630 patients who underwent labiaplasty mainly because of dissatisfaction with the aesthetic appearance. RESULTS: Of the 630 labiaplasties performed, 303 had clitoris hood excess, 44% of cases with concomitant HP and in 7.9% of cases only a HP was performed. The study was done between September 2009 and December 2021 and the HP technique was longitudinal excision in 97% of patients and horseshoe excision in 4.95% of them. Surgeries lasted between 30 and 60 min. 98% of the patients claimed an improvement in self-esteem and 96% claimed improvement in sex life post-surgery. No major complications occurred. DISCUSSION: An isolated labiaplasty technique in patients with hood excess results in disharmony in the area. HP can be considered as a subdivision of a labioplasty. Extended central wedge labia minora resection (V-plasty) is a commonly used procedure in LP operations but can limit the excess clitoris hood resection. Edge labia minora resection can easily be combined with longitudinal excision of the clitoral hood, and when also horizontal clitoris hood excess is present can also be addressed by converting the resection from longitudinal into a horse hose resection. Limitations in the study include lack of use of validated assessments for the satisfaction of aesthetic outcomes and that all the procedures were performed by a single senior surgeon, which can be seen as a strength but also a limitation because of the high risk of bias. Moreover, there was no comparative cohort for the study population. Furthermore, we could not find comparative cohorts in previously reported techniques in the literature either. CONCLUSION: Clitoris hood resections should be treated on an individualized approach and adapted according to the excess present. It is important when a patient requests a labiaplasty to always address the clitoris hood during the consultation to avoid unsatisfied patients afterwards. Many patients come just focussed on their labia minora excess and when corrected, realize the clitoris hood excess was also part of the problem. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: 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   www.springer.com/00266 .

Trends in Surgical and Nonsurgical Aesthetic Procedures: A 14-Year Analysis of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery-ISAPS.

INTRODUCTION: As part of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, we present an analysis of our global aesthetic statistics, fulfilling the role of a worldwide organization of plastic surgeons with a clear mission to disseminate aesthetic education worldwide, promote patient safety, protect high ethical standards, and communicate. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the ISAPS Global Aesthetic Statistics was conducted annually from 2010 to 2023. The design and analysis of each survey was carefully developed and validated by Industry Insights, Inc. prior to distribution. Participants were recruited using an anonymous online questionnaire that focused primarily on the number of surgical and nonsurgical procedures performed in the previous year, as well as questions related to surgeon demographics and the prevalence of medical tourism. ISAPS invited all physicians in their data base who were board-certified plastic surgeons or equivalent and suggested National Societies to encourage their members to participate. RESULTS: The latest survey reported a global increase in 3.4%, including 34.9 million surgical and nonsurgical aesthetic procedures performed by plastic surgeons in 2023. More than 15.8 million surgical procedures and more than 19.1 million nonsurgical procedures were performed worldwide. During the past decade, a steady increase in aesthetic procedures has been observed, which has been more pronounced since 2021. In the last 4 years, the overall increase in procedures was 40%. SURGICAL PROCEDURES: The top five surgical procedures were liposuction, breast augmentation, eyelid surgery, abdominoplasty, and rhinoplasty. This trend has been stable for 14 years, with the exception of 2022, when breast lift surgery temporarily replaced rhinoplasty. FACE AND HEAD PROCEDURES: These procedures continue to be the most popular. This group included brow lift, ear surgery, eyelid surgery, facelift, facial bone contouring, facial fat grafting, lip augmentation or frontal surgery, neck lift, and rhinoplasty. BODY AND EXTREMITIES PROCEDURES: This group included abdominoplasty, buttock augmentation, buttock lift, liposuction, lower body lift, thigh lift, arm lift, upper body lift, labiaplasty, and vaginal rejuvenation. Over the past 14 years, body and extremity procedures have increased, with more than 5.1 million procedures in 2023 compared to 2.6 million in 2009. NONSURGICAL PROCEDURES: The five most popular nonsurgical procedures are botulinum toxin, hyaluronic acid, hair removal, chemical peels, and nonsurgical fat reduction. In 2022, chemical peels will replace nonsurgical skin tightening in the top five. MALE AESTHETIC SURGERY: Procedures performed on men continue to grow, with minimally invasive procedures dominating. The most recent survey reported that they represented 14.5% of the total. The top five surgical procedures were eyelid surgery, gynecomastia, liposuction, rhinoplasty, and facial fat grafting. The most popular nonsurgical procedures for men were botulinum toxin, hyaluronic acid, hair removal, nonsurgical skin tightening, and nonsurgical fat reduction. This trend has held steady for more than a decade. DISCUSSION: This study analyzes the most recent data and experience of board-certified aesthetic plastic surgeons in surgical and nonsurgical procedures worldwide over 14 years and provides insight into future trends. More than 60 years have passed since the introduction of liposuction, being one of the most performed aesthetic procedures worldwide over the past 14 years and currently number one procedure performed by plastic surgeons. New trends and technologies have evolved over the years, however, plastic surgeons must be cautious, as history has shown that risks increase when new technologies are introduced. With the popularity of liposuction, other body contouring procedures began to gain interest, and in 2015, gluteal lipoinjections were added to the ISAPS global aesthetic statistics and with them complications arise. In 2018 and 2019, the major patient safety societies, ISAPS, ASERF, ASPS, and ASAPS, began a systematic educational campaign to inform their members about the inherent risks of performing gluteal fat transfer surgery and what techniques or equipment can be used to minimize risks. Another procedure added to the ISAPS statistics in 2010 was vaginal aesthetic surgery. With the new trend of vaginal aesthetics, many believed that they were just changing the appearance of the area, but today it is clear that they are here for much more, to truly empower women with their sexuality. Breast augmentation showed a decline for the first-time last year. However, breast augmentation and liposuction have been the most performed procedures by plastic surgeons worldwide for more than a decade. On the other hand, implant removal has been the fastest growing procedure since 2015, with an overall increase in 46.3% over the past 5 years. In relation to male aesthetic surgery, the number of men undergoing aesthetic procedures has remained stable in recent years at around 14%. Male aesthetics is certainly a growing trend, and our practices should be more inclusive. Another prominent field is regenerative medicine. In relation to plastic surgery, regenerative surgery strategies often involve adipose tissue with stem cells and preadipocytes, alone or in combination with scaffolds. In terms of prevention, regenerative medicine aims to improve the quality of the skin by improving our outcomes and would make it possible to avoid the need for facelifts in the future. Finally, given the increasing popularity of medical procedures abroad ("medical tourism") and the fact that safety regulations and guidelines vary widely from place to place, we encourage patients to choose a board-certified, specialized, trained and experienced plastic surgeon for their procedure and an accredited surgical facility to ensure the procedure in done under the highest patient safety standards. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the obvious cultural and social differences from country to country that make certain procedures more desirable in some geographic areas and less so in other parts of the world, the results of this study show a significant overall increase in all surgical and nonsurgical procedures aimed at improving the aesthetic appearance of the body during14 years. As plastic surgeons, we are open to new possibilities in aesthetic procedures and are responsible for patient safety protocols and procedures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: 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 www.springer.com/00266 .

Complications of Fat Grafting Versus Implants in Gluteal Augmentation: A Retrospective Review and Lessons Learnt.

There have been various studies and literature reviews about gluteal augmentation, possibly due to the high complication rates associated with the procedure. But in the recent past, there has been extensive work in an effort to reduce the complications and various different methods have been developed for this purpose. This article brings to view the procedure followed in our surgery centre for fat grafting and implants for gluteal augmentation. We have compiled the complications we encountered with these procedures and the lessons we learnt to prevent them. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: 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 www.springer.com/00266 .

Assessment of Female Genital Surgery Education in Plastic Surgery Training: Report of an Expert Opinion Survey.

BACKGROUND: Patient demand for aesthetic genital surgery has markedly increased. The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reported 95,010 labiaplasties and 50,086 vaginal rejuvenation procedures in 2015. METHODS: We performed an online anonymous survey to evaluate the teaching of female genital procedures in plastic surgery training programs worldwide. RESULTS: A total of 1033 board certified plastic surgeons answered the survey. Most respondents were from the USA, Brazil, Mexico and Colombia. The majority of plastic surgeons performing these procedures were in private practice (77.62%) and (22.38%) in academic settings. Most plastic surgeons (75.63%) did not receive formal education in female genital rejuvenation procedures however 54.31% did receive education in reconstruction procedures. During their training, most were exposed to vaginal reconstruction (15.94%), labia minora reduction (11.9%), vulva reconstruction (11.53%), flaps for vaginal agenesis (11.39%) and monsplasty (7.98%). Additional training for female genital procedures was mostly at meetings and shadowing experts. Sixty-two percent reported that patients seldom requested those procedures, and 63.73% reported these procedures comprised less than 5% of their practice. The most commonly performed procedures were labia minora reduction, labia majora augmentation or reduction and monsplasty. The materials used were mostly fat grafting, hyaluronic acid injections and lasers. CONCLUSION: Additional formal training during residency for aesthetic genital surgery would be beneficial. Additionally, courses at meetings would be useful for plastic surgeons who have had insufficient training. More studies need to be conducted on the different female genital rejuvenation procedures offered in order to evaluate patients' long-term outcomes and satisfaction. 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 www.springer.com/00266 .

Laser Resurfacing for Latin Skins: The Experience with 665 Cases.

BACKGROUND: CO2 resurfacing and CO2 microfractionated laser systems are reliable tools to improve different facial pathologic skin conditions but are associated with a high rate of complications specially in Fitzpatrick III, IV, and V skin phototypes, predominant in the Latin population, which has pushed many surgeons to change technologies and abandon its use. OBJECTIVE: To compare patient results with the CO2 resurfacing laser and microfractionated CO2 laser resurfacing in all skin types and show similar results to those obtained worldwide in patients with phototypes III, IV, and V. METHODS: Standardized review of medical records from a database of private practice patients treated since January 1998 to July 2012 with SlimE30 MiXto SX(®) CO2 laser. Evaluation of outcomes, complications, and satisfaction of three different modalities of treatment (CO2 ablative laser, CO2 microfractionated and a combination of both) was made. RESULTS: A total of 665 treated patients were included. Ablative CO2 was applied to 80.3 %, CO2 microfractionated to 15.1 %, and mixed treatment to 4.5 % of cases. Globally, hyperpigmentation rates were 30.4 % in the CO2 resurfacing group, 16.3 % when a combination of modalities was applied and 11 % in microfractionated CO2 cases. A steady increase of these rates is shown as the phototype becomes higher. Satisfaction rates were high for all groups: 86.7 % in the mixed group, 82.2 % in the microfractionated CO2, and 79.6 % in the CO2 ablative. CONCLUSIONS: Good results and an acceptable rate of complications in latin skins are obtainable after treating patients with CO2 ablative and microfractionated CO2 systems alone or in combination. Staged treatments and adequate post-procedure care reduce these complications.

Aesthetic surgery of female external genitalia.

Aesthetic surgery of the external genitalia in women encompasses many procedures and may address the labia minora, clitoral hood, labia majora, mons pubis, or vaginal opening. During the initial evaluation, the surgeon should consider all aspects of the external genitalia to develop an appropriate surgical plan. It may be necessary to perform 2 or more procedures during the same surgical session to achieve the desired aesthetic result. In this continuing medical education (CME) article, we review the literature and summarize the available cosmetic techniques for female external genitalia. Resection of the labia minora has been described in several peer-reviewed reports. We also discuss the procedures and modifications to direct resection, wedge resection, and deepithelialization of the labia minora. Aesthetic surgery of the clitoral hood may involve straight-line resection, extended wedge resection, or inverted V hoodoplasty. The mons pubis may be treated with mons pubis pexy, wedge resection, or lipomodeling. The labia majora can be managed with direct resection or lipomodeling, and hymenoplasty may be performed to correct a wide vaginal opening.

Refreshing labioplasty techniques for plastic surgeons.

BACKGROUND: Patient requests for plastic surgery of the female genitalia have become more common. There are several technical options to manage hypertrophic labia minora, including direct excision, wedge resection, and deepithelialization. Labia majora hypertrophy and hypoplasia can also be managed surgically. The aim of this study was to summarize labioplasty techniques to date, and describe the senior author's technique for labia minora and majora labioplasty. METHODS: Seventy-four patients underwent direct labia minora excision with or without clitoral hood molding and management of labia majora by the senior author from January 2009 to August 2011. RESULTS: The average follow-up time was 6 months. The range of the patients' ages was wide with an average age of 35 years. One patient had an infection and one had wound dehiscence. Six patients had palpable fatty cysts in the labia majora after fat injections; the cysts of five of these patients reabsorbed before 6 months. In one patient a palpable mass persisted 8 months after surgery; however, it was not visible or painful and the patient was satisfied with the result. No cases of scar contracture, painful scar, or discomfort because of labial edge distortion were noted. The satisfaction rate was close to 100 %. CONCLUSION: The direct excision of the excess labia minora is a good technique and does not produce scar-associated problems. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article.

Vaginal Tightening.

The natural aging process and pregnancies come with certain body changes that influence overall our performance and the vagina is no different. Today more and more patients seek for new ways to enhance their sexual gratification. It is important to listen and examine the patient to look for vagina wall looseness and if a big prolapse is present it is not an ideal case for the procedure. Only tightening the vagina entrance is no enough to really impact female sexual gratification. Treating a loose vagina, loose vagina walls, really impacts sexual gratification on the woman improving their quality of life.

Liposuction: 25 years of experience in 26,259 patients using different devices.

BACKGROUND: The development of liposuction provided plastic surgeons with a safe and effective way to sculpt the human figure. The techniques and instrumentation used in the performance of liposuction have evolved significantly since its introduction. OBJECTIVE: The authors review their experience with different liposuction techniques over the past 25 years. METHODS: Data from patients who had undergone liposuction were collected from the personal databases of four different surgeons and from the database at the Corpus and Rostrum Plastic Surgery Clinic in Cali, Colombia. A retrospective review was conducted and the results from different liposuction techniques were compared. RESULTS: A total of 26,259 patient charts were reviewed. The results showed that 5% of patients experienced a postsurgical seroma. Postsurgical fibrosis developed to some degree in 2.3% of patients. Anemia was present in 18% of all patients and in 60% of those patients who underwent dry liposuction. Ninety percent of patients reported postoperative pain. The incidence of deep vein thrombosis was 0.03%, as was the incidence of pulmonary embolism. Mortality was 0.01% and was mainly caused by pulmonary embolism. Patient satisfaction was similar for all of the described techniques. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of anemia was reduced significantly in patients undergoing tumescent liposuction versus dry liposuction. However, the occurrence of seroma increased with the introduction of tumescent liposuction. The incidence of postoperative pain and fibrosis was similar for all liposuction techniques reviewed. The aesthetic results obtained using ultrasound- or laser-assisted liposuction were similar to those obtaining using other techniques.

Thorax masculinization in a transsexual patient: Inferior pedicle mastectomy without an inverted T scar.

Transsexual individuals with gender dysphoria or gender identity disorder are rare, with a prevalence reported to range from 0.002% to 0.014%. Studies have shown that mastectomy yields significant improvements in body image and self-esteem in female-to-male transsexual patients. In patients with grade III breast ptosis, mastectomy with a nipple-areolar complex (NAC) graft is the most commonly used technique, although it has several disadvantages. In the case described herein, a bilateral mastectomy preserving the NAC in an inferior pedicle was performed. Additionally, a thin superior thoracic dermal-fat flap was preserved and eventually sutured at the previous inframammary fold, preventing an inverted T scar. This case shows the advantage of this technique for preserving the blood supply and innervation of the NAC, with a low hypopigmentation risk. Furthermore, in this technique, the patch effect does not impair the results of the NAC graft, and there is no need to use an inverted T scar that may result in thoracic feminization.

New devices, new problems. Pneumomediastinum secondary to therapy with Renuvion/J-Plasma®. Case report / Nuevos dispositivos, nuevos problemas. Neumomediastino secundario a terapia con Renuvion/J-Plasma®. Reporte de caso

Abstract The incorporation of new technologies such as ultrasound, J-Plasma (helium plasma) and MicroAire (power assited liposuction) has facilitated liposculpture procedures, resulting in greater patient satisfaction. The benefits of these technologies are accompanied by low reported complications; this case is the fourth description of pneumomediastinum secondary to the use of Renuvion® (J-Plasma) after liposuction for fat removal in the arms and thighs. This rare complication should be considered as part of the differential diagnosis during the study of clinical dyspnea and subcutaneous emphysema in the postoperative period.

Resumen La incorporación de nuevas tecnologías, como ultrasonido, J-Plasma (plasma de helio) y el Microaire (vibroliposucción), ha facilitado los procedimientos de lipoescultura consiguiendo una mayor satisfacción del paciente. Los beneficios de estas tecnologías se acompañan de bajas complicaciones reportadas; el presente caso constituye la cuarta descripción de neumomediastino secundario a la utilización de Renuvion® (J-Plasma) posterior a la extracción de grasa en brazos y muslos por medio de liposucción; esta infrecuente complicación se debe considerar diagnóstico diferencial en el estudio de presentación clínica de disnea y enfisema subcutáneo durante el posoperatorio.