Mentorship in Plastic Surgery: A Critical Appraisal of Where We Stand and What We Can Do Better.

SUMMARY: Mentorship is a critical tool for professional development and career success. In academic surgery, supportive mentorship affords higher job satisfaction, academic productivity, and diversity and inclusion. It protects against burnout and increasing academic surgery attrition rates. Women, underrepresented minorities, and junior plastic surgeons report lower job satisfaction and fewer mentorship opportunities. Given the unique challenges these groups face in a constantly changing health care system, the importance of mentorship cannot be overstated. Through a survey of American Society of Plastic Surgeons members, this study evaluated different aspects of mentorship to describe the current state in plastic surgery. Despite 94.05 percent of plastic surgeons believing that mentorship is valuable, only 15.16 percent reported a structured mentorship system, often without evaluation. Male and female participants agree that mentorship is needed for both professional (clinical judgment) and personal (work-life balance) development. Interestingly, women plastic surgeons felt it was important for mentees to have gender and race/ethnicity concordance to their mentors (p < 0.001). There was no agreement regarding the most effective method to implement mentorship programs, highlighting the challenges of this problem. Through thoughtful planning and commitment, mentorship programs can be instituted to benefit not just the mentee, but the mentor as well.

Breast Lift with and without Implant: A Synopsis and Primer for the Plastic Surgeon.

Breast ptosis is a common occurrence following weight loss, pregnancy, and breastfeeding, or as a consequence of normal aging. This results in loss of a youthful shape and contour of the breast, with a change in the position of the nipple-areolar complex. Mastopexy can restore this youthful appearance and transpose the nipple-areolar complex to a more aesthetic position on the breast. Various techniques exist that address the skin and parenchyma of the breast and are chosen based on the degree of ptosis and skin laxity, as well as the patient's goals. These techniques all differ in scar burden and risk profile. Additionally, this can be done simultaneously or in a staged manner. In this literature review, we aim to provide an overview of mastopexy procedures, with and without augmentation. Further, we aim to detail recent advancements in technical approaches, and delineate common complications in certain patient demographics. To this end, we performed a literature search with a medical librarian, using PubMed/Medline to identify pertinent literature. In the context of the review, we discuss important considerations in patient selection and counseling to set expectations and ultimately, optimize surgical outcome and patient satisfaction.

The Medial Femoral Condyle Corticoperiosteal Free Flap for Frontal Sinus Reconstruction.

Although the medial femoral condyle has been used for reconstruction in various areas of the body, to the authors' knowledge it has not been used for frontal sinus reconstruction. The authors describe a novel approach to a complex patient using the medial femoral condyle cortiocoperiosteal free flap to reconstruct an anterior frontal sinus defect in conjunction with a recalcitrant mucocele.

Newer Understanding of Specific Anatomic Targets in the Aging Face as Applied to Injectables: Superficial and Deep Facial Fat Compartments--An Evolving Target for Site-Specific Facial Augmentation.

The identification of specific fat compartments of the face has greatly improved the plastic surgeon's approach to facial rejuvenation. These superficial and deep compartments are discretely partitioned into multiple independent units by fascial barriers and undergo age-dependant volumetric changes. This knowledge has created a topographical map allowing for the direct and precise augmentation of those compartments that are deflated preferentially. These include the deep medial cheek, nasolabial, superficial middle, and lateral cheek compartments. Once this volume loss has been addressed, the overlying superficial musculoaponeurotic system and skin envelope can be treated to address laxity and bridge the compartments, creating a smooth cheek contour. Facial augmentation can be performed alone in the correct patient; however, it most often complements face-lifting. It is, therefore, important to have a thorough understanding of this anatomy and the changes that occur during aging.

The Role of the Superwet Technique in Face Lift: An Analysis of 1089 Patients over 23 Years.

BACKGROUND: The use of superwet technique of infiltration and autologous tissue sealants during rhytidectomy has benefits of decreasing bleeding and edema, improving visualization, and easing dissection. The purpose of this study was to analyze whether these intraoperative strategies resulted in more consistent and reproducible outcomes and significantly decreased hematoma rates. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on 1089 consecutive face lifts performed by a single surgeon. Fisher's exact test was used to determine significant differences in hematomas between those patients who received platelet-rich plasma and superwet technique and those who did not. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate demographic variables and intraoperative interventions for risk of complication. RESULTS: Five hundred eighty-seven of 1089 face lifts received platelet-rich plasma and 926 of 1089 underwent a superwet technique. Ten hematomas were recorded, six in the group that did not receive platelet-rich plasma compared to four who did (p = 0.527). One hematoma was observed before implementation of the superwet technique and nine were in the group after (p = 1.00). Multivariate analysis showed male sex to be a significant factor for hematoma (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This analysis showed excellent outcomes with a hematoma rate of 0.9 percent. Although no significant differences were noted, the authors attribute their consistent and reproducible results to the use of the superwet technique and platelet-rich plasma. The superwet technique allows for improved safety and visualization with improved hemostasis. Platelet-rich plasma potentially decreases ecchymosis and edema. Prospective studies are needed to determine significant differences between these intraoperative interventions. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Laser Resurfacing at the Time of Rhytidectomy.

BACKGROUND: Laser resurfacing with simultaneous rhytidectomy has been used to augment aesthetic results and decrease overall patient recuperative time, yet presents a potential dual insult to the microvasculature supply of facial skin flaps. This study describes the authors' experience with rhytidectomy and simultaneous laser resurfacing. METHODS: Between May of 1999 and January of 2013, 85 face lifts with concomitant erbium laser resurfacing were reviewed retrospectively. Seven procedures were excluded for incomplete charting. Patient demographics, treatment zone, concomitant procedures, and secondary/tertiary face lifts were analyzed for associations with postoperative complications attributable to laser resurfacing. RESULTS: No complications were reported in the perioral resurfacing group. There was one instance of delayed wound healing and prolonged erythema in the full face group, and one instance of moderate hyperpigmentation in the central face group. No instances of hypopigmentation or flap necrosis attributable to laser resurfacing were noted. The overall complication rate was 3.8 percent. There was a statistically significant difference when comparing the number of complications between the facial laser resurfacing zones (p = 0.037). When analyzing zone of laser resurfacing as an independent risk factor for complications, no significant association was derived, but full face zone resurfacing approached statistical significance (p = 0.063). CONCLUSIONS: Although a significant difference in the number of complications between treatment groups existed, the authors were not able to definitively attribute this solely to the extent of laser resurfacing. Simultaneous laser resurfacing and rhytidectomy can be performed safely in select patients using ablative mode only over the undermined flap. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Evolution of hypertension management in face lifting in 1089 patients: optimizing safety and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Hematoma continues to be the most common complication after rhytidectomy. Perioperative hypertension is a known risk factor, and meticulous control of this has been shown to significantly reduce the incidence of postoperative hematoma development, thus improving outcomes and decreasing patient morbidity. Despite this, there are few well-described hypertension management regimens in the literature today. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 1089 patients undergoing rhytidectomy performed by a single surgeon was conducted. A predetermined antihypertensive protocol was used in all patients that included the routine use of transdermal clonidine. A target systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or less was the goal of therapy, and close hemodynamic monitoring was used throughout the entire perioperative phase. The incidence of postoperative hematoma was then assessed. RESULTS: The overall incidence of postoperative hematoma was 0.9 percent (10 patients). Of these patients, five were female (0.05 percent) and five were male (5.2 percent). Preoperatively, 170 patients were noted to be hypertensive, with a systolic blood pressure greater than 140 mmHg. Postoperatively, 355 patients were found to be hypertensive (p < 0.001). Of the patients who developed a postoperative hematoma, eight patients (80 percent) had documented hypertension (systolic blood pressure >140 mmHg) in the postanesthesia care unit (p = 0.045). Male sex was found to be a significant risk factor for the development of hematoma (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Meticulous perioperative blood pressure control significantly reduces the rate of postoperative hematoma formation. The use of a specific protocol developed by our senior author and primary anesthesia provider contributed to our very low hematoma rates.

Refining the anesthesia management of the face-lift patient: lessons learned from 1089 consecutive face lifts.

BACKGROUND: The importance of anesthetic technique is often underappreciated in face-lift procedures and is sparsely written about in the literature. Appropriate control of blood pressure, anxiety, pain, and nausea is essential for reducing the complications of face lift, primarily, hematoma risk. This study discusses the standard anesthetic protocol provided at the authors' institution and describes the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative management of face-lift patients resulting in low hematoma and complication rates. METHODS: One thousand eighty-nine patients who underwent face-lift procedures performed by a single surgeon (R.J.R) were included in a retrospective chart review following institutional review board approval. Patient demographics, operative data including additional ancillary procedures, and the anesthesia regimen were recorded. In addition, postoperative complications and reoperation rates were documented. RESULTS: Between 1990 and 2013, 1089 face-lift procedures were performed. Of these, 10 patients developed postoperative hematomas. Benzodiazepines were commonly administered preoperatively to reduce anxiety level. Intraoperatively, a specific regimen and combination of inhalation agents, neuromuscular blockers, antiemetics, antihypertensives, and narcotics was given to control the ease of induction and emergence from anesthesia. Postoperatively, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, pain, and hypertension were treated as needed. CONCLUSIONS: The described protocol is safe and has been instituted at the authors' facility for approximately 20 years. The benefit of this regimen is related to the synergy of combination therapy. It is successful in reducing patient anxiety and pain, controlling blood pressure and postoperative emesis, and subsequently results in a reduced risk of hematoma. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.