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Background: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is widely used in various medical and surgical specialties for its regenerative properties, including aesthetics (facial rejuvenation, hair restoration, and skin tightening) and orthopedics (treatment of tendinitis and osteoarthritis). However, the inconsistent literature on PRP's efficacy and safety leads to critical knowledge gaps. This systematic review evaluates quality control measures in PRP preparation and application and explores the regulatory environment governing its clinical use. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science, for studies published from January 2020 to April 2024. The review included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving human participants undergoing PRP treatment for aesthetic or regenerative purposes. Key parameters such as the PRP preparation methods, platelet concentration, and quality control measures were analyzed. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO (ID: CRD42024557669). Results: Out of 75 RCTs involving 5726 patients, the review identified significant variability in PRP preparation methods and application techniques, including differences in centrifugation protocols and platelet concentration levels. A new evidence-based scoring system, the William–Eqram Scoring System for PRP Quality Reporting (WESS-PQR), was proposed to address these inconsistencies. Correlation analysis revealed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.79) between proper temperature control during preparation and PRP efficacy. Initial platelet count assessment showed a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.57) with efficacy. Conclusions: Standardized PRP preparation protocols and robust regulatory frameworks are urgently needed to ensure the safety and efficacy of PRP treatments. The proposed WESS-PQR scoring system can serve as a valuable tool for clinicians and researchers, promoting consistency and reliability in PRP applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Onabotulinumtoxin A (Onabot A) has already marked its name in history as the first to be approved for aesthetic indications, namely glabellar (GL), crow's feet (CFL) and forehead lines (FHL), with 64 units of cumulative dose.Objective: As more real-world evidence and robust randomised clinical studies exist, the authors sought to conduct a meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis to combine the available data with approved doses for GL, CFL and FHL to explore the effect and duration of simultaneous treatment with Onabot A.Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE and other national clinical trial registries were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from January 2010 to July 2022. The meta-analysis, trial sequential analysis and the investigator-assessed time to return to the non-responder status in GL, CFL and FHL following Onabot A were plotted to elicit a cumulative dose-adjusted response curve using the Kaplan-Meier analysis with the log-rank test.Results: Fourteen RCTs were eligible for quantitative analysis. A total of 8369 subjects were recruited across the trials. The meta-analysis results show that Onabotulinum toxin a is very effective in reducing moderate to severe GL, CFL and FHL. The cumulative Z-curve for GL, CFL and FHL t also exceeds the information size. Kaplan-Meier analysis with the log-rank test demonstrated that simultaneous treatment of GL, CFL and FHL requires 182 days (95% CI 179, 215) (p < 0.00002) to return to the non-responder status.Conclusions: Treatment of the upper facial expression lines with Onabot A has proven effective with a longer duration of effects with the approved doses of 64 units. Until future trials explore the dose titration in males, neuromuscular junction mapping, and pharmaco-epigenetic profiling to explore the role and effect of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) on sprouting, clinicians should adhere to the most substantial scientific evidence available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) is commonly employed as a neuromodulator in several neurological diseases and aesthetic indications. Formation of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) after BTX-A injections may be responsible for treatment failure. Objectives The authors sought to quantify the prevalence of NAbs following treatment with Abobotulinumtoxin A, Incobotulinumtoxin A, and Onabotulinumtoxin A for therapeutic indications. Methods An electronic systematic search (2000-2020) of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase was conducted. Original studies reporting prevalence of NAbs were included. Data analysis was carried out through open meta-analysis softwares. Results Forty-three studies involving 8833 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The incidence of NAbs was 1.8% (summary estimate = 0.018, 95% CI [0.012, 0.023]); a meta-regression analysis revealed that BTX-A duration was significantly associated with increased incidence of NAbs (P  = 0.007). Patients with dystonia had the highest incidence (7.4%) of NAbs against BTX-A (summary estimate = 0.074, 95% CI = [0.045, 0.103], I2 = 93.%, P  < 0.00) followed by patients with spasticity (6.7%) and urological indications (6.2%). Abobotulinumtoxin A was associated with the highest incidence of NAbs (7.4%) (summary estimate = 0.074, 95% CI = [0.053, 0.096], I2 = 97.24%, P  < 0.00) by the Incobotulinumtoxin A and Onabotulinumtoxin A 0.3% (summary estimate <0.003%, 95% CI = [−0.001, 0.007], P  < 0.003). Conclusions Although the overall incidence of NAbs following BTX-A injections is relatively low, patients with secondary nonresponse to BTX-A with no apparent causes should be investigated for NAbs. A consensus needs to be developed for the optimal management of such patients. Level of Evidence: 2 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Aesthetic physicians rely on certain anecdotal beliefs regarding the safe practice of filler injections. These include a presumed safety advantage of bolus injection after a negative aspiration. Objectives The authors sought to review and summarize the published literature on inadvertent intravascular injection of hyaluronic acid and to investigate whether the technique of aspiration confers any safety to the practitioner and the patient. Methods Pertinent literature was analyzed and the current understanding of the safety of negative and positive aspiration outlined. Results The available studies demonstrate that aspiration cannot be relied on and should not be employed as a safety measure. It is safer to adopt injection techniques that avoid injecting an intravascular volume with embolic potential than utilize an unreliable test to permit a risky injection. Conclusions To prevent intravascular injection, understanding "injection anatomy" and injection plane and techniques such as slow, low-pressure injection are important safety measures. Assurance of safety when delivering a bolus after negative aspiration does not appear to be borne out by the available literature. If there is any doubt about the sensitivity or reliability of a negative aspiration, there is no role for its utilization. Achieving a positive aspiration would just defer the risk to the next injection location where a negative aspiration would then be relied on. Level of Evidence: 4 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose was to evaluate the role and impact of the rhinoplasty outcome evaluation (ROE) in rhinoplasty. Objectives: To systematically review the ability of ROE to assess rhinoplasty outcome in the very recent surgical approaches. Data Sources: Searching MESH terms "rhinoplasty" and "rhinoplasty and ROE" on PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Google Scholar, and other major literature databases. Study Eligibility Criteria: A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses model was adopted for eligibility criteria. Participants and Interventions: A first large screening on 1,660 papers allowed the final retrieval of 896 reports, of which only 101 were eligible for all the inclusion criteria, which allowed finally to select a group of 12 reports published in the time range 2018–2021. Study Appraisal and Synthesis Methods: Meta-regression with Durbin–Watson test, checking of meta-analysis bias with Rosenthal's estimator, and heterogeneity through the I2 statistics were performed. The analysis included a Mantel–Haenszel test and associated or meta-analysis. Results: Twelve eligible and qualified papers were included in the meta-analysis, out of 1,263 patients, from 1,660 papers. ROE confirmed previous reports about its ability to discriminate preoperative from postoperative outcome (50/100), as from the different rhinoplasty approaches, a value very close to the functional Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation scale. This study strengthens the role of ROE in the evaluation of rhinoplasty outcomes encouraging further research to improve ROE scale on different cultural habits and geographical areas. Limitations: The main limitations were due to the weak inclusion and exclusion criteria, methodological flaws with the statistical analysis, and poor data synthesis and evaluation in many papers about ROE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Standardizing training and education in nonsurgical facial aesthetic procedures during residency training has long been challenging because majority of the procedures are performed outside the usual teaching hospital settings. Several areas of refinement have been suggested and an increased need for more hands-on training identified in the available literature. Despite the growing demand for nonsurgical facial aesthetics (NSFA), it is yet to be fully integrated into standard postgraduate medical or surgical curriculum.Objectives: The objective of this study was to explore the current state and the need for medical education and training of aesthetic clinicians across specialties in a formal postgraduate curriculum.Methods: A mixed-method, cross-sectional, online research was conducted among physicians involved in training and practicing NSFA between July 2018 and December 2018. Focus group discussion was conducted to ensure the face and content validity of the survey items.Results: The total responses collected in the trainer's group was 179 and 496 in the trainee's group. The majority of trainers (95%) and trainees (93.8%) across specialties expressed their opinion for the need of a standard postgraduate course in NSFA. Moreover, more than 55% of them felt that 12 months, with a work-based, blended learning approach, would be most suitable for training and education.Conclusions: The survey results have underlined the need for specialized training in NSFA to enable clinicians to pursue independent practice with confidence. The authors recommend the inclusion of evidence-based postgraduate programs on NSFA in higher academic institutions as per their educational curriculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent rapid growth in dermal filler use, in conjunction with inadequate product and injector control, has heralded a concerning increase in filler complications. The 10-point plan has been developed to minimize complications through careful preconsideration of causative factors, categorized as patient, product, and procedure related. Patient-related factors include history, which involves a preprocedural consultation with careful elucidation of skin conditions, systemic disease, medications, and previous cosmetic procedures. Other exclusion criteria include autoimmune diseases and multiple allergies. The temporal proximity of dental or routine medical procedures is discouraged. Insightful patient assessment, with the consideration of ethnicity, gender, and generational needs, is of paramount importance. Specified informed consent is vital due to the concerning increase in vascular complications, which carry the risk for skin compromise and loss of vision. Informed consent should be signed for both adverse events and their treatment. Product-related factors include reversibility, which is a powerful advantage when using hyaluronic acid (HA) products. Complications from nonreversible or minimally degradable products, especially when layered over vital structures, are more difficult to control. Product characteristics such as HA concentration and proprietary cross-linking should be understood in the context of ideal depth, placement, and expected duration. Product layering over late or minimally degradable fillers is discouraged, while layering of HA of over the same brand, or even across brands, seems to be feasible. Procedural factors such as photographic documentation, procedural planning, aseptic ­technique, and anatomical and technical knowledge are of pivotal importance. A final section is dedicated to algorithms and protocols for the management and treatment of complications such as hypersensitivity, vascular events, infection, and late-onset nodules. The 10-point plan is a systematic, effective strategy aimed at reducing the risk of dermal filler complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The use of hyaluronic acid soft-tissue fillers for enhancement of lip features is a popular and minimally invasive office-based procedure used worldwide due to its relative simplicity and favorable safety profile. Materials and Methods: Hyaluronic acid was used in illustrative cases to attempt correction of congenital and acquired lip asymmetries. Results: In the cases presented, accurate and cosmetically acceptable results were attained and maintained for the duration of the product life. Conclusions: Hyaluronic acid may be used successfully when lip asymmetry is evident and is a relatively simple nonsurgical alternative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Botulinum toxin A (BTxA) has gained popularity as a nonsurgical aesthetic treatment for skin rejuvenation. However, previous studies on intradermal BTxA have shown inconsistent results. This systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of intradermal BTxA for facial rejuvenation., Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted in various databases from January 2008 to March 2023. Outcome measures included sebum production, pore size, skin hydration, skin texture, erythema index, facial wrinkles, and facelift. Eligible studies included human-based clinical trials and prospective cohort studies published in English, focusing on healthy populations requiring facial rejuvenation. Two authors independently screened the titles and abstracts, followed by a full-text review to determine study eligibility. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed by two authors using predefined criteria., Results: Ten studies met the inclusion criteria, including five randomized controlled trials and five prospective cohort studies with 153 participants. Studies revealed positive effects of intradermal BTxA on various outcome measures related to facial rejuvenation. These effects included improvements in sebum production, pore size, erythema index, facial wrinkles, skin texture and elasticity, and overall facelift but not skin hydration. All failed to reach the required information size in the trial sequential analysis., Conclusions: Findings suggest positive outcomes in multiple attributes of skin quality and facial rejuvenation. However, more high-quality research is needed to establish definitive conclusions. These findings contribute to the evidence base for nonsurgical aesthetic treatments, emphasizing the importance of ongoing research in this field., Competing Interests: Dr. Rahman worked as a consultant and speaker for Allergan Aesthetics (Irvine, Calif.); Dr. Rao, Dr. Garcia, Dr. Ioannidis, Dr. Kefalas, Dr. Kajaija, Dr. Friederich, and Dr. Parikh are speakers for Allergan aesthetics an Abbvie Company (Irvine, Calif.); Dr. Philipp-Dormston reports being a clinical trial investigator, scientific advisor, and/or speaker for Allergan Aesthetics an Abbvie Company (Irvine, Calif.), Galderma (Lausanne, Switzerland), and Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH; Dr. Almeida has been a consultant to Allergan Inc. and Merz, and participated in clinical trials for Allergan and Galderma. Dr. J. Carruthers is a consultant and investigator for Allergan Aesthetics, an Abbvie Company, Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Solstice Neurosciences, and Revance, Inc. Dr. A. Carruthers is a consultant for and has received research grants from Allergan Aesthetics an Abbvie Company (Irvine, Calif.), Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH, and Revance, Inc; Dr. Mosahebi served a consultant and speaker for Allergan Aesthetics an Abbvie Company (Irvine, Calif.), Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH; Dr. Wu is a speaker and consultant for Allergan Aesthetics an Abbvie Company, Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH; Dr. Goodman is a speaker, investigator, and consultant for Allergan Aesthetics an Abbvie Company. (Irvine, Calif.) and Galderma (Lausanne, Switzerland). All the other authors have no financial interest to declare in relation to the content of this article., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons.)

The aim of this study was to identify the anatomical feature of retaining ligament and fat compartment on the lower eyelid and infraorbital region using a histological method, and to investigate clear definitions for them which could be used generally in the clinical area. Eighteen specimens from eight fresh Korean cadavers were stained with Masson trichrome or hematoxylin and eosin. The ligamentous and fascial fibrous tissue were clearly identified. The ligamentous fibrous tissue which traversed in the superficial and deep fat layer was skin ligament and orbicularis retaining ligament (ORL). The fascial fibrous tissue enclosed the orbicularis oculi muscle (OOc) and circumferencial adipose tissue. Based on the ligamentous and fascial structure, three fat compartments, septal, suborbicularis oculi and infraorbital fat compartment, could be identified. The OOc attached to orbital rim and dermis by ORL and skin ligament, and the muscle fascicle and fat fascicle provided the connection point to the ORL and skin ligament as enclosing all muscle and fat tissue. The combination of the force made by the skin ligament in the lower eyelid and ORL may decide the level and form of the infraorbital grooves.

Clinical case reporting plays a vital role in sharing detailed patient narratives, providing insights into rare conditions, innovative treatments, and unexpected outcomes. However, existing reporting guidelines in aesthetic medicine fail to capture the specific nuances of procedures and outcomes in this field. The authors' objectives were to develop comprehensive guidelines for Case REporting in Aesthetic Medicine (CREAM). The study employed a 3-phase consensus process, including a literature review, expert interviews, and a consensus meeting. A diverse group of 10 expert participants (plastic surgeons, dermatologists, noncore specialists, evidence-based medicine expert, and research scientist) in Phase I and 30 experienced aesthetic practitioners in Phase II contributed to the research. Statistical analysis was conducted to assess agreement levels among participants and explore associations and variations within the data. The participants represented various specialties, genders, LGBTQ+ identities, and ethnic backgrounds. The research resulted in the development of the CREAM guidelines, consisting of a 16-item checklist. The guidelines covered essential aspects of case reporting, such as patient and practice information, procedure details, clinical assessment and outcomes, adverse events, and ethical considerations. Statistical analysis indicated a high level of consensus among participants, as well as significant associations between checklist items. CREAM guidelines represent a step toward enhancing transparency and standardization in case reporting in aesthetic medicine. Adhering to these guidelines will allow authors to contribute to a robust evidence base, prioritize patient safety, and drive advancements aesthetic medicine., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Aesthetic Society.)