This month, I attended the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Annual Meeting in San Diego. From year to year, there are usually no huge shifts, merely trends.
One exception this year was studies and seminars on using the newly approved form stable ( gummy bear ) implants. I use Allergan 410 models, but other companies offer similar devices. The nice thing about the devices is that they have either a taller tear drop shape or shorter oval shape to fit certain breasts and to better manage post mastectomy defects. The down side is that they shape can rotate, giving a strange look and usually requiring a return to the operating room to exchange for a round device. Other downsides are that they are firmer than less cohesive implants and that they cost about twice as much. I continue to believe these devices are best used for breast cancer reconstruction patients and in select augmentation patients. Meeting topics covered how to best select the correct size and shape and how to avoid problems.
I also had a good time attending an all day rhinoplasty (nose surgery) course. There are always new ways to improve a very demanding operation. Techniques to make results more predictable and natural were presented. Rhinoplasty is one of my favorite operations as it can really change the patient’s whole face for the better while also improving air flow through the nose.
Mark D. Wigod, MD, FACS, providing cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery to Boise, Meridian, Treasure Valley and Southeastern Idaho.
