Top 3 Plastic Surgery Resources, How to Assess a Breast, & New “Lessons”

Tell me what you think! Before I dive in👇

We're dealing with three main categories: traditional (journals, textbooks), digital (online platforms, social media), and face-to-face (workplace learning, conferences). Let's unpack these:

Traditional: Journals & Textbooks

Are we hooked on these because they're the best, or just because they're familiar? While journals like 'Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery' cater to niche specialties, PRS CME articles hit the mark with practical, relevant content. Textbooks, thorough as they are, often end up as more decorative than useful. Remember, any textbook is good—if you actually read it.

Digital: Online Platforms & Social Media

The digital world is buzzing. How do you sift through the digital clutter to find gems that truly enhance your skills?

But are we learning, or just scrolling through "surgery porn"? Platforms like Twitter/X foster real-time, meaningful discussions, while Instagram tends to showcase life highlights rather than practical lessons like the 'zones of the hand.'

Face-to-Face: Conferences, Courses

Direct interactions offer unmatched learning opportunities. Yet, how often do conferences go beyond networking, and do those intensive courses make a lasting impact? Nothing (obviously) will ever replace the work environment for clinical experience.

I'll dive deeper into my top 3 resources and discuss this in an upcoming episode of Behind the 'Fella.

P'Fella ❤️

We are brainstorming this new concept called "Lessons," a new educational tool offering concise, step-by-step guides for specific plastic surgery topics.

Forget the hassle of navigating through the library, cases, or other resources. With "Lessons," you'll receive guided, hands-on instructions, making learning seamless and efficient. It's like having a mentor by your side, every step of the way.

Here's an example 👇

Help us design this new feature 👇

In case you've missed out, here's a reminder to check out our fresh articles, clinical cases, and surgical techniques.

Read below for an overview of our clinical case on Tuberous Breast Deformity.

Tuberous Breast Deformity

Definition
A congenital deformity characterized by constricted, elevated, herniated, and hypoplastic features, while maintaining normal function.

Clinical Features
Features vary widely, commonly including asymmetry, hypoplasia, constricted base, IMF elevation, herniated nipple, ptosis, and skin envelope insufficiency.

Classification
Von Heimburg's 1996 system is crucial for assessing the condition, emphasizing the identification of specific affected areas to inform surgical strategies.

Surgical Management
Aims to release constrictions, restore volume, reposition the inframammary fold, and achieve symmetry, involving techniques like periareolar incisions, radial scoring, and dual-plane pocket creation.

Read the Article

Capsular contracture is the most common complication following breast implant surgery, with an overall incidence of 10.6% (Headon et al., 2015). Several risk factors have been identified, including smooth implant surfaces, subglandular placement, silicone-filled implants, and previous radiotherapy (Headon et al., 2015; Bachour et al., 2018).

Subclinical bacterial infection, particularly with Staphylococcus epidermidis, may play a role in capsular contracture development (Shah et al., 1981; Adams, 2009; Bachour et al., 2017). The immune system's response to implants is also implicated, with macrophages often associated with contracture (Bachour et al., 2017). Other factors such as implant size, incision site, and postoperative care may also influence contracture rates (Calobrace et al., 2018).

Preventive measures include precise surgical techniques, antibiotic irrigation, and minimizing contamination (Adams, 2009). Despite advances in understanding and prevention, capsular contracture remains a significant challenge in breast implant surgery (Luvsannyam et al., 2020; Steiert et al., 2013).