Hot topics in breast augmentation, reconstruction from Plastic Surgery The Meeting

Anatomical implants in breast augmentation present no aesthetic advantage over round implants, according to research presented at Plastic Surgery The Meeting in Los Angeles, reported on Healio.com/Aesthetics.

Additional news from the meeting included product developments as well as a discussion on balancing patient goals and cost in breast reconstruction:

Anatomical, round implants found aesthetically comparable in breast augmentation

LOS ANGELES — There was no aesthetic superiority in anatomical implants compared with round implants in breast augmentation, according to research presented at Plastic Surgery The Meeting.

David A. Hidalgo

“There’s no advantage to using anatomical implants in breast augmentation given their considerable disadvantages compared with round implants,” David A. Hidalgo, MD, clinical professor of surgery, Weill-Cornell Medical College, told Healio.com/Aesthetics. Read more

AeroForm CO2 tissue expander comparable to saline in two-stage breast reconstruction

LOS ANGELES — The AeroForm expander, an investigational device that uses CO2 as a filling medium, was comparable to a saline expander, with a faster average expansion time, in two-stage breast reconstruction, according to research presented at Plastic Surgery The Meeting.

Jeffrey Ascherman

“This is an investigational device that uses CO2 rather than saline to fill up an expander for reconstruction, but the preliminary results have been excellent,” Jeffrey Ascherman, MD, of Columbia University, told Healio.com/Aesthetics. “The expansion itself occurred twice as fast with the CO2 device. The most recent version [of the device] had a very good safety profile, so we’re just waiting to hear from the FDA.” Read more

Illusio expands breast augmentation simulator with new feature

Illusio launched its new breast implant sizing tool at Plastic Surgery The Meeting in Los Angeles, according to a press release.

The tool is an implemented feature in the company’s 3D Virtual Breast Simulation Software, which allows a surgeon to change the shape, size and appearance of a virtual breast model and discuss in real-time with a patient. The new feature will produce implant sizing information based on the desired outcome of breast augmentation surgery. Read more

VIDEO: Evidence-based review of breast ptosis in patients using digital scale

LOS ANGELES — Olivier A. Branford, MBBS, MA, MRCS, PhD, FRCS, spoke with Healio.com/Aesthetics at Plastic Surgery The Meeting about his published commentary on an article in Aesthetic Surgery Journal regarding use of the Rainbow Scale for measuring breast ptosis.

Olivier A. Branford

Branford, a plastic surgeon in London, explained that the online scale system uses digital photographs to measure the level of breast ptosis in patients. He feels that this reflects a broader move toward evidence-based medicine which will lead to better communication between the surgeon and the patient and ensure the patient’s aesthetic goals are reached. Watch video

VIDEO: When breast reconstruction perfection becomes a cost issue

LOS ANGELES — Looking for ways to balance costs against achieving the perfect outcome in breast reconstruction was part of a panel discussed by David H. Song, MD, MBA, at Plastic Surgery The Meeting.

David H. Song

“We are struggling with the fact of when is perfection the enemy of good,” Song, president of the American Society for Plastic Surgeons, told Healio.com/Aesthetics. Watch video