Blog by Dr. Phillip Chang:  Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with Offices in Loudoun and Fairfax Virginia

The Following article is excerpted from The Aesthetic Surgery Journal:    http://www.aestheticsurgeryjournal.org/home

Primary Breast Augmentation Today: A Survey of Current Breast Augmentation Practice Patterns

by Edward M. Reece, MD, MS, Ashkan Ghavami, MD, Ronald E. Hoxworth, MD, Sergio A. Alvarez, MD, Daniel A. Hatef, MD, Spencer Brown, PhD, Rod J. Rohrich, MD

A study was undertaken to survey current practice patterns concerning primary breast augmentation. Members of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) were electronically surveyed concerning issues such as incision location, implant size and type, and complications, as well as information about the surgeons, their practices, and where procedures are performed. The survey response rate was 30%. Forty-six percent of respondents had more than 20 years of experience in practice. Forty-three percent of primary breast augmentations were performed in outpatient surgery centers. An anesthesiologist was in attendance in 60% of cases. The average operative time—indicated in 80% of responses—ranged from 45 to 90 minutes. Thirty-three percent of responding plastic surgeons used the base diameter to determine implant size and respondents most commonly used a smooth saline implant placed through an inframammary incision in a submuscular pocket. The most frequently reported complication was nipple sensation changes. Although the reintroduction of silicone gel implants was accompanied by expectations of a sharp increase in their use, this survey revealed that among ASAPS members, saline implants currently are used more often than silicone gel implants. However, both saline and silicone gel implants are used frequently, safely, and reliably. This survey represents a snapshot of current practice and future trends in primary breast augmentation will require additional assessment, although increased use of silicone gel breast prostheses over time is expected. (Aesthetic Surg J 2009;29:116–121.)In 1992, restrictions on the use of silicone gel breast implants limited plastic surgeons in the United States with respect to their choice of implants for primary breast augmentation. Fourteen years later, they regained the ability to decide how best to treat their patients when the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved silicone gel implants for general clinical use in breast augmentation. In the interim, saline breast implants were shown to have a low risk of capsular contracture, low rupture rate, and only a small incision is required for implantation. When revision surgery was required, the procedure was relatively minor with a short recovery period and only moderate expense.

In my own practice in Loudoun and Reston Virginia, the the impact from the introduction of Silicone implants has been tremendous.  About half of my patients are now choosing Silicone breast implants.  Despite the previous problems with Silicone implants, most patients feel that the new generations of implants appear safer.  Moreover, they are attracted to the softer feel and the decreased ripple effect that silicone implants provide.  My personal survey of my patients shows that:

1. Despite the economy, the number of patients choosing to have breast implants is increasing.
2. About half of my patients are choosing to get silicone implants vs saline implants
3. About half of my patients who got  a saline breast implant before silicone was available are choosing to change their saline implants in for a silicone implant
4. My patients with silicone implants feel they are softer and have less rippling. 
5. About 70 percent of my patients choose to have the incision under the breast:  Reasons cited include the lowest complication rate and the visibility of the underarm and nipple incisions.
6. Nearly 100% of my patients have the muscle placed under the muscle
7. Nearly 100% of my patients have get a smooth round implant
8. I perform my breast augmentation procedures exclusively at an outpatient surgery center  owned by INOVA Hospital  in Loudoun to ensure your safety  ( I don’t believe in the safety of office anesthesia )
9. I perform my breast augmenation procedures in a center run and operated by anesthesiologists ( not nurse anesthetists ) to ensure your safety

Silicone Gel Implants:

Silicone gel breast prostheses have generated excitement in the plastic surgery community since their reintroduction, and new interest and questions concerning these implants can be expected from patients. The latest generations of silicone gel implants are stated to have improved durability and to herald a “new age” of silicone gel breast augmentation. Although the premarket approval data for silicone gel prosthetics are several years old, they are high-quality, objective, and solid data that testify to the safety and efficacy of these implants. The major drawback to these data is the limited follow-up period, which leaves unanswered the question of what impact the use of silicone gel implants may have on practice patterns. Comparisons of data concerning silicone gel and saline implants are difficult because of the paucity of follow-up for the newly introduced silicone gel implants.

A recent American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) survey revealed that most responding members believed that many primary augmentation patients would return to exchange saline for silicone gel implants.   In addition, members anticipated that more than 60% of future primary augmentation candidates would request silicone gel implants.  The current survey was conducted among a somewhat smaller population of plastic surgeons: those belonging to the The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), who tend to perform a relatively large volume of cosmetic breast surgery. A primary purpose of the survey was to identify the impact of the reintroduction of silicone gel breast prostheses on ASAPS members’ practice patterns for primary breast augmentation. The study further represents other general trends in the practices of respondents to suggest current practice patterns in primary breast augmentation.

Methods

A survey containing 27 questions was created to assess current practices in primary breast augmentation (see Appendix). Questions were chosen that might elucidate the gestalt of practice pattern choices relevant to primary breast augmentation. The survey queried not only information such as incision location, implant size and type, and complications, but also details about the surgeons, their practices, and where procedures are performed. During a 3-month period beginning in June 2007, the survey was sent to 1746 ASAPS members. ASAPS members were chosen for the study population in an attempt to gather data from surgeons who most likely perform the highest volume of primary breast augmentation procedures. In addition to the questionnaire, a cover e-mail was sent asking for the participation of the ASAPS member in gathering information about current trends in breast augmentation. A total of 3 e-mails were sent to the entire group of potential respondents, with a total response of 508 digital surveys (30%). This response rate is comparable to that of a similar survey in the plastic surgery literature.  Forty-six percent of the plastic surgeons polled had more than 20 years of experience, with less than 14% having less than 10 years of practice (Figure 2).

When questioned about the number of primary breast augmentations performed per year, 51% of plastic surgeons surveyed stated that they perform more than 50 per year. Thirty-seven percent documented between 20 and 50 primary breast augmentations per year. Each surgeon was asked to rank the top three procedures performed in their practices. About 52% of respondents ranked breast augmentation as the most frequently performed procedure in their practices. Body contouring was ranked second by the largest number of respondents (about 25%). Lipoplasty and facial cosmetic procedures were reported equally as the third most common procedures.

Findings:

1. Forty-three percent of primary breast augmentation procedures took place in outpatient surgery centers. This was followed by offices with integrated operating rooms in another 33% of responses. Only 18% of breast augmentation procedures were performed in a hospital setting. 
2. Plastic surgeons performed primary breast augmentation with the help of fully-trained anesthesiologists in 60% of cases. Alternatively, certified registered nurse anesthetists were used in 33% of primary breast augmentation procedures. 
3. Operative time is a consideration in primary breast augmentation and has been scrutinized.  The average operative time in 80% of responses ranged between 45 and 90 minutes. Thirty-two percent of practicing surgeons reported operative times less than 60 minutes. Six percent of surgeons reported an operative time of less than 30 minutes.
4. Postoperative management, specifically patients’ return to regular activity, has also been carefully examined.  Four percent of plastic surgeons reported a same-day return to regular activity. Forty percent indicated resumption of regular activities within several days. Twenty-four percent reported resumption of normal activities within 1 week and 25% reported 1 month. Only 7% of plastic surgeons queried used pain pumps for their patients.

Implant Size

1. Sizing implants can be undertaken in many ways. Thirty-three percent of surgeons used base diameter as part of their preoperative evaluation for sizing. Within this group, 16% used base diameter as the main determinant of implant sizing.
2. The average size of breast implants reported by 81% of plastic surgeons was between 300 and 400 cc. Eleven percent of those queried stated an average size of 200 to 300 cc and 6% reported an average size between 400 and 500 cc.

Implant Type

1. Despite the reintroduction of silicone gel breast implants 60% of plastic surgeons reported using saline implants, and
2.  65% of those surgeons reported using saline implants in three-quarters of their primary breast augmentation cases.
3. Twenty-three percent of the total survey population reported using saline implants 100% of the time.
4. Eighty percent of respondents reported that their use of silicone gel implants is greater now than before the FDA’s approval of the devices for primary breast augmentation;
5. 18% reported no change in their use of silicone gel implants.
6. Overall, 55% of surgeons used silicone gel implants 50% to 100% more than before, supporting ASPS statistics.
7. Fifteen percent of plastic surgeons have converted to using silicone gel implants 100% of the time.
8. Most plastic surgeons (92%) used smooth implants most often. Eighty-two percent of these plastic surgeons said that they use smooth implants in every breast augmentation.
9. Seven percent of surgeons reported using textured implants in most cases. Of the few respondents using textured implants, 69% used round versus 31% using anatomically-shaped implants.
10. The reasons for the current trends were examined in other questions. Thirty-six percent of surgeons cited that “patient preference” was part of the reason for choosing a particular type of implant. Thirty percent of surgeons reported improved results with their chosen implant. Eight percent of surgeons made the choice of implant based on ease of use. Six percent said they choose implants based on decreased capsular contracture rates.
11. Frequent reasons given for choosing silicone gel versus saline implants were surgeon preference (16%), less wrinkling, overall better cosmetic result, and a more natural feel.
12. When asked whether shaped implants were preferred, 2.4% of surgeons responded that they used anatomically-shaped implants for primary breast augmentation.
13. Ninety-six percent of respondents preferred round implants, mostly because of improved results. Another reason for round implant use was ease of placement, cited by 22% of surgeons. Eleven percent noted other reasons for use of round implants, including less shifting, availability of implants, and the lack of any real difference between round and anatomically-shaped implants.

Incision Placement

1. Incision placement in primary breast augmentation was surveyed to determine the most popular approach. The majority of surgeons (64%) preferred an inframammary approach, while 25% preferred a periaerolar approach. The transaxillary incision was used by 8.7% of surgeons, while only 0.4% of surgeons used the transumbilical approach.
2. When questioned about how often they used their preferred approach, 38% reported using their indicated approach 100% of the time regardless of patient preference or anatomy. Fifty percent of plastic surgeons indicated using their preferred incision type 75% of the time and 10% of respondents indicated using the same approach 50% of the time.
3. The main determinant of incision selection was surgeon preference for best cosmetic result, cited by 56% of surgeons surveyed. Thirty-two percent reported that patient preference dictated incision approach. Another 8% stated that ptosis determined incision placement, followed by skin quality and skin color.

Implant Placement

1. When determining the most common position for implant placement, the overwhelming response was submuscular, reported by 62% of surgeons. This response was followed by 25% of surgeons who preferred dual-plane positioning. Only 11.5% of respondents reported implant placement in the subglandular position.
2. The most common reason for the above preferences regarding implant position was cosmetic result.  Forty-four percent of surgeons believe that their preferred position for implant placement produces the best cosmetic appearance.
3. Other reasons for selection of implant location included decreased capsular contracture rate (27%), patient preference (8.5%), and intraoperative decision (2.75%). Sixteen percent of respondents reported other reasons for implant position such as the use of silicone gel versus saline implants, anatomy of the patient, and mammography considerations.

Complications

1. The most common early complication reported was nipple sensation changes (50% of surgeons surveyed). The second most common complication, cited by 28% of surgeons, was hematoma. These complications were followed by seroma, wound infection, and thrombophlebitis.
2. More than 50% of surgeons reported capsular contracture as the most common delayed complication of primary breast augmentation. This was followed by implant rupture/deflation and bottoming out.

Discussion

Several points are worth repeating. ASAPS members are still using saline implants more frequently than silicone gel implants. Saline is used 60% of the time; the implants are usually smooth and round. This choice reflects the surgeons’ positive experience and data collected over the past 15 years concerning saline implants.2, 3

The greatest percentage of responding ASAPS members was from the South and Southwest, followed by the Northeast. The largest percentage of respondents had more than 20 years’ experience and the majority performed more than 50 breast augmentations per year. ASAPS member surgeons typically require an hour to perform primary breast augmentation and most commonly choose saline implants placed through an inframammary incision into a submuscular pocket. Submuscular placement is preferred by surgeons, who believe it provides the optimal cosmetic result. Patient preference was the most common factor driving the choice of silicone gel implants. The most common implant size selected by respondents was 300 to 400 cc; this size was reportedly used in 80% of cases. Base diameter and preoperative implants placed in the patient’s bra are the most commonly used tools for size selection. Finally, the most common procedure performed by ASAPS members is breast augmentation, followed by excisional body contouring, liposuction, and facial cosmetic surgery.

Conclusions

FDA regulations regarding silicone gel breast implants have had a significant impact on the current trends in primary breast augmentation. In order to ensure patient satisfaction, plastic surgeons must be familiar with current data and have command of the skills necessary to effectively use those techniques and devices that have been shown to be most effective. Although this study represents data from only a limited cross-section of plastic surgeons across a small interval of time, it supports the assertion that surgeons find both saline and silicone gel breast implants to be safe and effective for their patients. The practicing plastic surgeon can assure patients that satisfaction is high with both types of implants.  My personal statistics for my patients in Loudoun and Fairfax Virginia are very much in line with the ASAPS data.

ASAPS members have successfully embraced new technology in primary breast augmentation. Future trends are expected to reflect an increase in the use of silicone gel breast prostheses and further data collection will be necessary in order to definitively track these trends.

Blog by Dr. Phillip Chang MD:  Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon at Aesthetica with Offices in Loudoun and Fairfax Virginia

The snow is falling outside.  Over the last week there has been over 40 inches and in the last month there has been over 50 inches.  Every spring and summer, I have the unfortunate job of treating dozens of patients who are injured in lawn mower accident.  Every winter, I have the unfortunate job of treating dozens of patients who are inured in snow blower accidents.  The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports up to 200,000 people – 16,000 of them children – are injured in snow blower and lawn mower-related accidents each year.   As a plastic and reconstructive surgeon, I am often called upon to reconstruct and make presentable and functional, mangle fingers and limbs.   As many of my patients know, we are in the midst of potentially the highest snowfall in Washington history.  The record is 54 inches and we have so-far had 52 inches… and it is still snowing outside.  This week alone, I have had to treat 5 patients with mangled fingers from putting their hand in the snow blower.  For the most part, these are smart men and women, some are even professional landscapers.  They simply aren’t thinking when they stick their hands into a snowblower or lawnmore to unclog the snow or grass.  Most people don’t realize that a snowblower may seem to be off because it is clogged; they then reach their hands in the machine and its spring loaded blades spring back when it is unclogged.  And the fact that many of my patients turn out to be children makes this an issue I am expecially concerned about.  

 Understandably, most injuries such as severed fingers and toes, amputations, broken bones, burns and eye injries are caused by caredless use and can be prevented by following a few simple safety.

The American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery (ASRM), American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons (ASMS), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) have teamed up to prevent injuries and educate adults, parents, and children about the importance of lawn mower safety during National Safety Month, June 2009.  They should have a similar conference on snow blower accidents.  Their conclusions were as follows.

1. Children should be at least 12-years-old before they operate any lawn mower, and at least 16 years old for a ride-on mower.
2. Children should never be passengers on ride-on mowers.
3. Always wear sturdy shoes while mowing – not sandals.
4. Young children should be at a safe distance from the area you are mowing.
5. Pick up stones, toys and debris from the lawn to prevent injuries from flying objects.
6. Always wear eye and hearing protection.
7. Use a mower with a control that stops it from moving forward if the handle is released.
8. Never pull backward or mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary – carefully look for others behind you when you do.
9. Start and refuel mowers outdoors – not in a garage. Refuel with the motor turned off and cool.
10. Blade settings should be set by an adult only.
11. Wait for blades to stop completely before removing the grass catcher, unclogging the discharge chute, or crossing gravel roads. (As a safety feature, some newer models have a blade/brake clutch that stops the blade each time the operator releases the handle.)

 Have to go now.  The children are building an igloo.  I’m hoping that they are also shoveling the driveway.  We don’t own a snowblower although during this winter season, I almost wish I owned one.

About ASPS
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons is the largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world. Representing more than 7,000 physician members, the Society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS comprises more than 94 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Founded in 1931, the Society represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

About ASRM
The American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery is an organization of more than 600 surgeons that perform microsurgery and other complex reconstructive surgeries. The ASRM is dedicated to promoting, encouraging and advancing the art and science of microsurgery and other complex reconstructions through education and research. For more information, please visit www.microsurg.org.

About ASMS
The American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons is the oldest organization representing maxillofacial plastic surgeons. The Society accomplishes its mission to advance the science and practice of surgery of the facial region and the craniofacial skeleton through excellence in education and research, and advocacy on behalf of patients and practitioners. www.maxface.org

About AAP
The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. (www.aap.org)

About AAOS
With more than 35,000 members, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (www.aaos.org) or (www.orthoinfo.org) is the premier not-for-profit organization that provides education programs for orthopaedic surgeons and allied health professionals, champions the interests of patients and advances the highest quality musculoskeletal health. An orthopaedic surgeon is a physician who treats the musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves.

Contact ASPS
Media Relations | 847-228-9900 | media@plasticsurgery.org