Experience with injectables performed at a resident department Aesthetic Surgery Clinic

TL;DR

This study examines injectable procedures performed by plastic surgery residents, showing high conversion rates, low complications, and cost-effectiveness.

Contribution

The paper presents the largest annual report on resident-performed injectables, offering detailed insights into outcomes and training efficacy.

Findings

95.7% of consultations led to an injection, with high patient conversion rates.

Complication and touch-up rates were 0.9% and 0.4%, respectively, indicating safe practices.

Surgeon fees were lower than national averages, making the clinic cost-effective.

Abstract

The popularity and rapid growth of aesthetic injectables, in conjunction with the influx of competing specialties performing these procedures, underscores the importance of competence of plastic surgery residents and rigorous modalities of plastic surgery training.

Our objective was to review injectables and outcomes from our plastic surgery resident aesthetic clinic. Outcomes and costs were compared to national averages and reports from the literature.

A retrospective chart review identified all adult injectable patients at the Resident Aesthetic Surgery Clinic at NYU Langone Health in 2021. Patient demographics, procedural data, complications, touch-ups, and surgeon fees were compiled. Factors predictive of return patronage were investigated as well. Data were analyzed and visualized in R.

In 2021, 223/233 consultations led to an injection (95.7% conversion rate) for 148 patients. Neurotoxin was most commonly injected into the upper face, while fillers were most commonly injected into the midface. Two complications from fillers (0.9% complication rate) and one touch-up (0.4% touch-up rate) were recorded. Surgeon fees were substantially less than national averages and comparable to other academic settings. Patients who received filler only at their first visit were significantly less likely to be return patrons in the same year.

These data represent the largest and most detailed annual report of injectables from a plastic surgery resident aesthetic clinic, demonstrating high volume, low complication and revision rates, and reasonable costs to patients. Altogether, our study supports resident aesthetic clinics as a robust training modality.

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