Detailed information on the first facial transplantation procedure performed in the United States is presented in the January issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). The patient has recovered well, with no serious complications through eight months of follow-up. With “true dedication” to her recovery, the patient has regained most facial functions, and the ability to eat solid foods and drink from a cup.

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The American Society of Plastic Surgeons surveyed 276 of its members and found that 62 percent of them had undergone at least one cosmetic procedure. This most often included Botox injections and chemical peels. Also, a third of these doctors had undergone an actual invasive surgery, with liposuction being the most common procedure. Many of the surgeons in the survey were women.

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TEI Biosciences Inc. has announced the introduction of its newest product line, SurgiMend® PRS for breast Reconstruction, a superior biologic mesh that featured at the ASPS Plastic Surgery 2009 conference in Seattle. TEI sells its products directly and through partnerships with some of the world’s major medical device companies. TEI’s marketed products include SurgiMend® for plastic and reconstructive surgery, breast reconstruction, muscle flap reinforcement, hernia repair, and abdominal wall reconstruction.

A survey conducted by the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons in early 2009 indicated that two in five of their members had to undergo corrective treatments for complications caused by the injection of permanent fillers by high street clinics in the past year. The survey also showed that one in every five members of the association had to get complications with body contouring corrected.

Cytori Therapeutics has received the patent protecting its Celution® System applications for generation of adipose tissue-derived stem and regenerative cell-enhanced fat grafts that may be used in a variety of cosmetic surgery procedures, such as breast reconstruction, facial applications etc. The patent strengthens the competitive position of Celution System in the cosmetic surgery market. Cytori also seeks to protect other applications of the Celution System. Additional patents for the use of Celution System in cardiovascular and orthopedic proceduress have been filed too.

A recent study conducted by the 21st Century Oncology on radiation therapy for breast cancer has found out that the SAVI™ applicator gave very good cosmetic results without any potential side effects, for women who could not qualify for breast conservation therapy through the use of a balloon device previously available. The incidence of side effects such as seroma (fluid collection), pigmentation change, fibrosis (scar tissue) or infection in the12 recent cases was reported to be minimal. The precision of the SAVI applicator can be estimated from the fact that the maximum skin dose of radiation prescribed for patients never exceeded the amount.

The FDA has granted clearance to Cynosure’s TriActive LaserDermology System, which is a cellulite treating system based on laser. In addition to the system’s apparent effect on cellulite, it also relives patients of minor pain and muscle spasms. TriActive LaserDermology System improves circulation as well and can be used with various plastic surgery procedures.

Manhattan-based facial plastic surgeon, Oleh Slupchynskyj, has developed breakthrough educational videos for YouTube, which are paving the way for how the medical community can inform consumers about plastic surgery do’s and don’ts, risks and benefits. Created initially for patients who wanted to learn all aspects of and watch firsthand the most popular plastic surgery procedures before choosing to undergo treatment themselves, each video has received the highest of ratings since just being posted on YouTube. The videos include live surgery footage, patient testimonials plus before-and-after photos for facelift surgery, rhinoplasty or nose surgery, and lip augmentation.

J. Peter Rubin, M.D., a plastic surgeon at the University of Pittsburgh, has been awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Science and Engineering (PECASE). Dr. Rubin is the first plastic surgeon to receive this award, which was in recognition of his efforts on the use of fat-derived stem cells to engineer soft tissue.