The Association of Academic Cosmetic Dermatology: improving cosmetic dermatology education through collaboration, research, and advocacy.

Cosmetic and laser procedures are increasingly popular among patients and are skills in which dermatologists are regarded as well trained. Most dermatology residents intend to incorporate cosmetic procedures into their practice and prefer to learn such procedures during residency through direct patient care. However, there are notable challenges in optimizing how residents are trained in cosmetic and laser dermatology. To address these barriers and elevate the practice of cosmetic dermatology in academic medicine, the Association of Academic Cosmetic Dermatology (AACD) was founded in 2021 as the lead professional society for dermatologists who direct the education of resident trainees in cosmetic and laser dermatology. The AACD, a group of board-certified dermatologists who teach cosmetic and laser dermatology to residents, aims to improve cosmetic dermatology education through collaboration, research, and advocacy.

Needs and Gaps in Resident Trainee Education, Clinical Patient Care, and Clinical Research in Cosmetic Dermatology: Position Statement of the Association of Academic Cosmetic Dermatology.

Cosmetic dermatology is a key subspecialty of academic dermatology. As such, academic centers are expected to demonstrate excellence in the teaching of cosmetic dermatology skills to trainees, the clinical delivery of cosmetic dermatology services to patients, and the performance of clinical research that advances knowledge and uncovers new therapies in cosmetic dermatology. The Association of Academic Cosmetic Dermatology (AACD), a newly formed medical professional society, includes as its principal aims the support of all of these areas. AACD is comprised of group of board-certified dermatologists who teach cosmetic and laser dermatology at US dermatology residency programs. An expert panel constituted by the AACD recently convened a workshop to review gaps pertaining to academic cosmetic dermatology. This panel considered needs and potential corrective initiatives in three domains: resident education, patient experience, and clinical research. The work of the panel was used to develop a roadmap, which was adopted by consensus, and which will serve to guide the AACD moving forward.

Bovine Collagen Xenograft Repair of Extensive Surgical Scalp Wounds With Exposed Calvarium in the Elderly: Increased Rates of Wound Healing.

BACKGROUND: Postsurgical scalp wounds that extend to the calvarium present a challenge for repair, especially in the elderly patient with multiple comorbidites. When second-intention healing is selected for closure, patients often have prolonged healing times. OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical outcomes of animal-derived collagen xenograft placement on postsurgical scalp wounds extending to the calvarium. METHODS: Eleven patients (ages, 61 through 95 years) with calvarium-exposed wounds treated solely with bovine-derived collagen xenografts were reviewed with follow-up extending 12 to 30 weeks after initial surgery. RESULTS: Increased rates of healing were found in the xenograft-treated wounds as compared with previous studies of calvarium-exposed wounds healed by second intention alone. Advantages of animal-derived collagen xenografts include immediate coverage of the wound, simple application, low cost, and avoidance of the morbidity associated with local flap, graft, and free flap repairs. CONCLUSION: In patients with postsurgical scalp defects with exposed calvarium, collagen xenograft placement may expedite second-intention healing and offer other advantages in the elderly population.