July 2024 Edition
- thestitchprs
- Jul 1, 2024
- 4 min read
Happy Red, White, and Blue and welcome to the July edition of The Stitch! We appreciate your continued support and readership.
If you are interested in submitting a guest contribution or wish to share announcements or opportunities, please complete the form at the link at the bottom of the newsletter.
Best, The Stitch Editorial Board
Pride and Precision: The Art of Self-Discovery through Plastic Surgery
Artwork by Chandler Hinson, Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine at the University of South Alabama
From Hinson: "With the celebration of PRIDE month, I reflected on the importance that plastic surgeons have on supporting those in the LGBTQIA+ community. This can involve gender affirmation surgery or simply helping patients feel happy and confident in their own bodies.
The tools the individual is holding represent the surgical tools (scalpel, scissors, etc.), which I integrated as being art brushes used to paint the patient's face in multiple colors."
Quality of Life after Major Weight Loss with Abdominoplasty and Lower Body Lift
Article Review by Matthew Henn, Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine
Abdominoplasty and lower body lifts are showing transformational long-term physical, emotional, and sexual quality of life improvements after major weight loss
Abdominoplasty and lower body lift surgery can significantly enhance the quality of life and sexual satisfaction following major weight loss. A multicenter prospective study involving 72 lower body lift and 57 abdominoplasty patients assessed quality of life through three different preoperative and post-operative questionnaires.
At 6 months, every section of the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 Health Status Survey showed statistically significant improvements. At 12 months, every category except ‘health change’ was significantly improved. The Moorehead-Ardelt questionnaire, which evaluates various areas of life including sexual activity, work performance, and social relationships, demonstrated an overall higher quality of life at 6- and 12-months. Notably, only sexual desire remained improved at the 12-month mark among the various domains of sexual life tested.
The substantial positive impact in the quality of life these patients exhibited leads to more validity in promoting these surgeries for patients with weight concerns. As medical students looking towards the future of plastic surgery, understanding the patient quality of life outcomes alongside the functional outcomes is imperative to understanding the patient-prioritized successes of this often elective field.
Sources:
Berkane Y, Saget F, Lupon E, et al. Abdominoplasty and Lower Body Lift Surgery Improves the Quality of Life after Massive Weight Loss: A Prospective Multicenter Study. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2024;153(6):1101e-1110e. doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000010683
Aesthetics Abroad - The Journey of a Surgical Tourist
Article Reviewed by Carson Bair, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine
Medical tourism is a growing phenomenon in wealthy countries where patients travel to foreign countries seeking healthcare. Aesthetic surgery is a popular choice for medical tourists due to cheap prices and attractive online advertisements. A retrospective review of 13 patients (100% female aged 18 – 40 years) presenting with aesthetic tourism-related complications was conducted to learn more about the process of surgical tourism.
Patients underwent liposuction, abdominoplasty, breast augmentation, and thighplasty in Turkey, Albania, and Ghana. Complications included infection (66% were breast implants), delayed wound healing, dressing discomfort, and bleeding. Five patients required reoperation. Patients sought surgery abroad to save money (77%) or due to online photographs (23%). A majority (62%) of patients did not sign any consent, 100% were not consulted on how to treat a complication, and 62% were not offered post-operative care. The lack of follow-up care is problematic and with complications appearing in domestic medical centers, the financial cost to patients and countries with public healthcare rises and the legal responsibility becomes questionable.
The process of medical tourism is not well documented, and understanding the process that patients go through while considering, travelling for, and recovering from surgery abroad can be helpful in the management and education of patients. With better patient education and awareness, patients can safely and responsibly have aesthetic surgery.
Sources:
Budini V, Zanettin C, Brambullo T, Bassetto F, Vindigni V. Aesthetic Surgery Tourism: An Opportunity or a Danger?. Aesthetic Plast Surg. Published online June 24, 2024. doi:10.1007/s00266-024-04117-8
Do Plastic Surgeons Want Business Training in Residency?
Article Reviewed by Isha Joshi, Penn State College of Medicine
As the landscape of healthcare continues to evolve, many student learners and physicians are choosing to pursue additional training in business fundamentals. A 2022 study surveys American College of Academic Plastic Surgeons members to assess their perception of the incorporation of formal business training into plastic surgery residency.
55 academic plastic surgeons across 25 institutions were included, with 58.49% of respondents coming from institutions with business curriculum. Approximately 70% of all participants desired additional training on business concepts. The most common topics valued included medical coding and billing, accounting, and language of business. The least common topics valued include marketing, innovation, and managing human relations. This study cited limited resources as a limitation for the incorporation of business training in residency.
This study suggests that many academic plastic surgeons believe that plastic surgery residency programs would benefit from having a business curriculum. As medical students entering a career in plastic surgery, understanding business fundamentals can be helpful both in personal and professional development. Advocating for additional training in residency may be helpful in managing student debt as well as considering the role of healthcare economics in patient care.
Sources:
Khetpal S, Hauc S, Lopez J, Prsic A. Business of Medicine in the Academic Plastic Surgery Community: A Survey of American Council of Academic Plastic Surgeons Members. Ann Plast Surg. 2022;89(3):253-257. doi:10.1097/SAP.0000000000003273
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