Plastic Surgery 2009 news briefs

Selected research to be presented on Saturday, Oct. 24

SEATTLE – Plastic Surgery 2009 News Briefs are designed to keep you up-to-date on embargoed studies and other news being presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) held October 23-27 in Seattle. All briefs are embargoed until the date/time they are presented. To obtain an advance copy of study abstracts, for media registration, or to arrange interviews with presenters, please contact ASPS Public Relations at (847) 228-9900, or in Seattle, Oct. 24-27 at (206) 219-4726.

Experimental Stem Cell Therapy Shows Promise in Peripheral Nerve Repair

Embargo for Release: Saturday, October 24, 2009

The findings of an experimental study presented at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Plastic Surgery 2009 conference, Oct. 23-27, in Seattle, suggest adipose-derived (fat) stem cells (ASCs) may help in the healing process of peripheral nerve injuries. Injuries to the peripheral nervous system are major and can result in paralysis. In the study, ASCs were administered to a group of rats with sciatic nerve injuries. Analysis after three and six month intervals showed a statistically significant improvement between nerves treated with ASCs and those without. Plastic surgeons hope to use ASCs in treatment of peripheral never injuries because stem cells are able to differentiate into new nerve cells and may be able help to increase growth factors that promote regeneration.

Study: "Functional and Structural Repair of Peripheral Nerve Injury by Adipose-Derived Stem Cells: An Experimental Study" is being presented in electronic format, Sat., Oct. 24 - Mon., Oct. 26, at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center.

Jury's In - Liposuctioned Fat, A Viable Alternative to Breast Implants

Embargo for Release: Saturday, October 24, 2009

There's been some debate over the safety and effectiveness of fat injections for cosmetic breast augmentation primarily due to a lack of research and concern that fat may calcify and obscure mammograms, be mistaken for cancer growths, or be re-absorbed by the body. But a new study presented at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Plastic Surgery 2009 conference, Oct. 23-27, in Seattle, found using liposuctioned fat for breast augmentation may be a viable option for some women. The study looked at 50 women, ages 17-63, who had 55 fat grafting procedures (5 women were grafted twice) to their breasts with fat taken from their upper thighs, etc. To help make room for the injected fat and to increase the grafts' survival rate, patients wore a bra-like (external) tissue expander device several weeks before and after surgery. Long-term follow-up on patients ranged from 9 months to 5 years, with an average follow-up of 3 years.