Preface: Evidence-Based Procedures in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery ix

Lisa E. Ishii and Travis T. Tollefson

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis in Facial Plastic Surgery 273

Basil Hassouneh and Michael J. Brenner

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses hold a unique position in the pyramid of evidence. They can provide transparent and rigorous summaries to answer many clinical questions in facial plastic surgery. They can also identify areas of research deficiency, create new knowledge, and support guidelines or policies. A well-conducted systematic review follows a structured process to minimize bias and ensure reproducibility. When appropriate, a meta-analysis is incorporated to provide a statistical synthesis that combines the results of individual studies. This powerful quantitative method is becoming more prevalent in facial plastic surgery. This article provides a practical framework to understand and conduct this valuable type of research.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis in Facial Plastic Surgery 273

Basil Hassouneh and Michael J. Brenner

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses hold a unique position in the pyramid of evidence. They can provide transparent and rigorous summaries to answer many clinical questions in facial plastic surgery. They can also identify areas of research deficiency, create new knowledge, and support guidelines or policies. A well-conducted systematic review follows a structured process to minimize bias and ensure reproducibility. When appropriate, a meta-analysis is incorporated to provide a statistical synthesis that combines the results of individual studies. This powerful quantitative method is becoming more prevalent in facial plastic surgery. This article provides a practical framework to understand and conduct this valuable type of research.

Skin Care 285

Amelia Clark and Jill L. Hessler

Aging skin is among the most common patient concerns in a facial plastic surgery practice. Ultraviolet (UV)-induced damage expedites the pace of intrinsic aging, resulting in many of the visible signs of aging, such as rough skin texture, pigmentation irregularities, fine and deep wrinkling, and inelasticity. Primary prevention of UV and environmental damage with proper skin care and the use of sunscreen are critical. There is great interest in topically applied products to reverse or delay the visible signs of photoaging. We discuss the most common topically applied agents for photoaging, reviewing their mechanisms and supporting evidence.

Evidence-Based Medicine in Laser Medicine for Facial Plastic Surgery 297

Benjamin C. Marcus and David Hyman

In the setting of rapidly changing technology tone must make a decision on whether he or she places a premium on being an “early adopter” of technology or delay purchasing decisions until there is adequate proof that a particular technology is useful. Laser devices are a significant capital expenditure, and therefore members of the second group who base their purchasing decisions on evidence-based medicine may be able to avoid deploying capitol into a purchase that becomes obsolete as quickly as it appeared.