Fortnightly Review: Cosmetic Surgery
February 1999
in “
The BMJ
”
Studysummary This review discusses various aspects of cosmetic surgery, including the importance of professional empathy, the influence of operator skill, and the utility of technological advancements, but it does not present new clinical results.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
The 1999 document reviews the advancements and popularity of cosmetic surgery, noting the increase in patient numbers and improvements in techniques. It highlights that cosmetic surgery is often sought for correcting abnormalities, reversing aging, or addressing health issues, with outcomes heavily reliant on the surgeon's skill. Technological advancements, such as large volume infiltration, have made some surgeries more cost-effective, while the use of lasers is limited and each breast augmentation method has drawbacks. Anaesthetic advancements have popularized procedures like liposuction, and autologous fat transfer is used for filling hollows. Endoscopic techniques are applied in surgeries such as breast implant insertion, with ongoing searches for safe implant materials. Laser surgery is effective for certain conditions, and injection techniques with materials like collagen and botulinum toxin are used against aging, each with potential complications. Hair restoration has evolved from older methods to micrografting, which may require multiple sessions, and a skin glue has been developed for hairpiece attachment. The document concludes that the cost to benefit ratio of cosmetic surgery has improved, increasing demand, and that general practitioners may play a role in preoperative and postoperative care.
