Advances in Esthetic Surgery from Four Specialties
I commend guest editors Babak Azizzadeh, Guy Massry, and the four section editors for their vision in bringing together experts from four specialties in this issue of Clinics in Plastic…
General Surgery
Future of Outcomes Research in Plastic Surgery
This article provides an overview of the current and future directions for outcomes research in plastic surgery. Important components of outcomes research are discussed, including the need for randomized controlled…
Measuring Health-related Quality of Life Outcomes in Head and Neck Reconstruction
A qualitative study was undertaken to understand the impact of omitted health concepts in existing patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments for health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) evaluation following head and neck…
Measuring Outcomes in Breast Surgery
The purpose of this article is to update and inform plastic surgeons regarding the available tools to evaluate outcomes after breast surgery. An overview of the current literature on clinician-reported…
Measuring Outcomes in Lower Limb Surgery
This discussion focuses on limb salvage versus limb amputation. The authors address decision-making and outcomes that relate to the following questions: “Which patients would benefit from limb salvage as opposed…
Measuring Outcomes in Hand Surgery
Methods for measuring outcomes after hand and upper extremity surgery continue to evolve, but remain inconsistent in quality. This article reviews the use of patient-reported outcomes measures in patients having…
Measuring Outcomes in Craniofacial and Pediatric Plastic Surgery
This article discusses the measurement of outcomes in craniofacial and pediatric plastic surgery, using examples of craniosynostosis and cleft lip and/or palate (CLP). The challenges in measuring the standard outcomes…
Measuring Outcomes in Aesthetic Surgery
The article presents an objective view of evidence-based medicine application to aesthetic surgery. The challenges are discussed and the points that create them are analyzed. Psychological and external factors in…
A Closer Look at the BREAST-Q ©
The BREAST-Q © is a multiscale, multimodule, patient-reported outcome instrument (PRO) measuring health-related quality of life and patient satisfaction in women who undergo breast surgery. This PRO instrument is the…
Applying Economic Principles to Outcomes Analysis
This article presents an introduction to economic outcomes for the plastic surgeon investigator. Types of economic outcomes are introduced and the matter of perspective is discussed. Examples from the plastic…
