The effect of increased consumer demand on fees for aesthetic surgery: an economic analysis

Economic theory dictates that changes in consumer demand have predictable effects on prices. Demographics represents an important component of demand for aesthetic surgery. Between the years of 1997 and 2010, the U.S. population is projected to increase by 12 percent. The population increase will be skewed such that those groups undergoing the most aesthetic surgery will see the largest increase. Accounting for the age-specific frequencies of aesthetic surgery and the population increase yields an estimate that the overall market for aesthetic surgery will increase by 19 percent. Barring unforeseen changes in general economic conditions or consumer tastes, demand should increase by an analogous amount. An economic demonstration shows the effects of increasing demand for aesthetic surgery on its fees. Between the years of 1992 and 1997, there was an increase in demand for breast augmentation as fears of associated autoimmune disorders subsided. Similarly, there was increased male acceptance of aesthetic surgery. The number of breast augmentations and procedures to treat male pattern baldness, plastic surgeons, and fees for the procedures were tracked. During the study period, the supply of surgeons and consumer demand increased for both of these procedures. Volume of breast augmentation increased by 275 percent, whereas real fees remained stable. Volume of treatment for male pattern baldness increased by 107 percent, and the fees increased by 29 percent. Ordinarily, an increase in supply leads to a decrease in prices. This did not occur during the study period. Economic analysis demonstrates that the increased supply of surgeons performing breast augmentation was offset by increased consumer demand for the procedure. For this reason, fees were not lowered. Similarly, increased demand for treatment of male pattern baldness more than offset the increased supply of surgeons performing it. The result was higher fees. Emphasis should be placed on using these economic relationships to expand the demand for aesthetic surgery.     

Telemedicine in plastic surgery: E-consult the attending surgeon

Telemedicine has evolved into a valuable but underused resource for the delivery of health care to patients at a distance, particularly where patient transport is impractical, expensive, complicated, and/or urgent. Today, over 250,000 telemedicine consults are generated annually, involving various specialties in both military and civilian health delivery systems. The ability to evaluate and triage plastic surgery patients through the use of telemedicine has not been widely explored. We have designed, developed, and tested a "store-and-forward" solution at UMass Memorial Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital whereby the plastic surgery residents who responded to a consult request transmitted digital photographs by means of the Internet to the attending physician on call. The customary telephone call between resident and attending physician benefited from the additional photographic data, and patient management resulted in a clear, concise, and unambiguous treatment plan. The initial management suggested by the resident was modified on some occasions, particularly with complex problems. The use of digital images was especially helpful for evaluation of radiographs and complex wounds of the hand and face. The solution proved to be very valuable for both attending physicians and residents in plastic surgery. The photographs provide rich detail and resolution comparable to high-quality prints. The mechanics of obtaining images and the process of sending them electronically was readily mastered. Images reached their destination in only a few minutes over standard telephone lines. No problems were encountered while sending or viewing images on Macintosh or Windows platforms. Determining course of action with a complete clinical history now includes a level of visual detail previously not available. As this application expands into wider use, data integrity and safety will have to be more formally secured and monitored. Our model of telemedicine has broad-reaching ramifications for the improvement of health-care delivery locally, nationally, and internationally.     

The evolution of the midface lift in aesthetic plastic surgery

The midface lift has recently gained significant popularity with many surgeons. It allows the surgeon an opportunity to achieve greater facial harmony with facial rejuvenation procedures by correcting midfacial atrophy, addressing the tear trough deformity, and correcting the perceived malposition of the malar fat pad. This article examines the history of midfacial procedures. Surgical attempts at improving the aging face have evolved from minimal excisions and skin closure to aggressive dissections at multiple planes. The midface target area is peripheral to classic approaches, and its correction has required further anterior dissection from a distance or direct access centrally. Ultimately, conquering the stigmata of midface aging is entirely related to vectors and volume.     

The evolution of the brow lift in aesthetic plastic surgery

For nearly 100 years, aesthetic improvement of the aging face has included surgical elevation of the brow. Early attempts to correct brow ptosis were largely unsuccessful. Recognizing the need to modify the frown muscles heralded the achievement of results previously unobtainable. Within the past decade, the minimal incision approach to brow lifting afforded with the endoscope radically changed surgical options in forehead rejuvenation. Further advances have added to these options and have provided a palette of alternatives in aesthetic correction of the upper one-third of the aging face.     

Evaluation of results in aesthetic plastic surgery: preliminary observations on mammaplasty

Aesthetic plastic surgery has received wide public attention in the past few years. Expectations of patients regarding results have been exaggerated; the real place and medical importance of the procedures are still not clear because of a lack of more objective evidence. This study discusses the difficulties encountered related to the scientific evaluation of the aesthetic operations and proposes alternatives for assessment. A frequently performed procedure, reduction mammaplasty, is presented as an example, with its specific evaluation.     

The financial environment of aesthetic surgery: results of a survey of plastic surgeons

To gather information about aesthetic surgery's current practice structures, competitive environment, patient price sensitivity, and marketing and practice development requirements, a two-page survey was developed and mailed to all 1180 members of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. A total of 632 surveys were returned (response rate of 54.5 percent). Most aesthetic plastic surgeons said they were in solo practice (63.3 percent). More than two-thirds described the marketplace as "very competitive," with 59 percent reporting 25 or more surgeons offering aesthetic surgery in their area. They estimated their patients' average income at $62,800. Nearly all plastic surgeons labeled their patients as "moderately price sensitive" (62.3 percent) or "very price sensitive" (30.6 percent). Similarly, 23.2 percent estimated that they had lost 20 or more patients within the last year for reasons of price. Practice development and marketing efforts represented an average of 7.3 percent of plastic surgeons' working time. Parameters associated with a high percentage of time devoted to these activities were solo practice, percentage of revenue from aesthetic surgery greater than 50 percent, a practice environment designation of moderately or very competitive, and ten or more area surgeons offering aesthetic surgery (p < 0.05). High patient income led to only slight decreases in price sensitivity and did not significantly reduce the amount of time spent on marketing and practice development. Although the rest of the healthcare industry has undergone a period of consolidation, aesthetic surgeons have been able to resist these changes. The results of this survey suggest that the fragmented nature of the aesthetic surgery industry is associated with additional burdens on plastic surgeons. As the aesthetic surgery market becomes more competitive, plastic surgeons may benefit from consolidation to reduce costs and maximize efficiency.     

美容整形受术者心理研究进展

本文综述了美容整形受术者心理分析及异常心理类型。以及产生异常心理的影响因素。同时也阐述了美容整形受术者心理状态的量化评估和心理防治等方面的研究进展。     

Update on ischemia-reperfusion injury for the plastic surgeon: 2011

Ischemia-reperfusion injury occurs when tissue is reperfused following a prolonged period of ischemia. It is a subject of interest to plastic surgeons involved in replantation, free tissue transfer, and composite tissue allotransplantation, as it can have a significant impact on the overall success of these procedures. The purpose of this article is to review the recent progress in the investigation of ischemia-reperfusion injury in skeletal muscle and skin and to highlight the potential clinical implications of therapeutic interventions aimed at reducing ischemia-reperfusion injury.