The Cosmetic Surgery Foundation supports and encourages consistent, innovative and aggressive research in the multidisciplinary specialty of cosmetic surgery. Since 2006, the Foundation has been awarding grants to eligible surgeons that wish to impact the science through original research.
Principal Investigator: Kendall Goodyear, MD
Co-Investigator: Tanju Nakra, MD, FAACS, FACS
Affiliation: Texas Oculoplastic Consultants
Project: Improving post-operative upper blepharoplasty scarring: A prospective, randomized, double-blind study
The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of topical steroid cream in the reduction of facial scars in patients who underwent cosmetic or reconstructive upper blepharoplasty surgery. The prevention and management of facial scars following surgery is a critical concern in cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Facial and eyelid scarring presents unique challenges due to the area’s thin skin and high visibility, making effective scar management crucial for patient satisfaction and quality of life.
While sound surgical techniques and perioperative care remain paramount, there is growing interest in topical treatments that can potentially enhance outcomes. Topical modalities are particularly appealing to patients due to their ease of use. While some topical emollients such as silicone gel and Moist Exposed Burn Ointment (MEBO) therapy have shown prevention of unfavorable facial scars with improved cosmetic results in prospective studies, similar studies for topical steroids are lacking.1 Furthermore, these treatments do not address early wound healing. The authors aim to address this knowledge gap by comparing the efficacy of topical steroid cream to a control cream in preventing upper blepharoplasty scars. By conducting a double-blinded randomized controlled trial, we seek to provide evidence-based guidance for optimal post-operative scar prevention in facial surgeries.
Principal Investigator: David A. Iannitti, MD
Co-Investigator: Mark Mandell-Brown, MD
Affiliation: Mandell-Brown Plastic Surgery Center
Project: A Prospective Pilot Study for the Use of a Powdered Active Hemostatic Agent to Decrease the Incidence of Bleeding Related Complications Following Rhytidectomy. Rhytidectomy (facelift) is among the most frequently performed cosmetic surgeries in the United States, with approximately 235,000 procedures conducted annually. The majority (92%) of patients are female. While complications are generally rare, bleeding-related issues, such as hematoma formation, can lead to significant morbidity, extended recovery times, and increased healthcare costs, with reported bleeding complication rates ranging from 0 15%. To manage intraoperative bleeding, techniques including electrosurgery, ligation, and compression are commonly employed, though challenges persist due to the delicate nature of facial tissues. Risk factors like male gender, hypertension, and anticoagulant use further elevate the likelihood of complications such as bruising, swelling, and delayed wound healing.
There is increasing interest in using adjunctive hemostatic agents to minimize these risks in cosmetic surgery. HemoBlast, an active powdered hemostatic agent has shown efficacy in reducing postoperative bleeding in procedures such as abdominoplasty and breast surgery, improving patient outcomes while reducing the need for drains and re-operations. Compared to fibrin sealants, which are costly and logistically complex, this active powdered hemostatic agents offer advantages such as ease of use, cost-effectiveness, and minimal preparation. Techniques like the “surgical net” have been explored but face limitations including technical difficulty, scarring, and postoperative discomfort. This pilot study aims to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of active powdered hemostatic agents in rhytidectomy, addressing a gap in current literature and offering potential improvements in postoperative care.
Principal Investigator: Rahul K. Sharma, MD
Co-Investigator: Shiayin F. Yang, MD, Associate Professor
Affiliation: Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Project: Facial Changes After Weight Loss Using GLP-1 Agonists – A Prospective Study Using Three-Dimensional Optical Imaging various interventions ranging from lifestyle modification to pharmaceuticals and bariatric surgery have been employed to address the obesity epidemic. One intervention that has become increasingly popular is semaglutide medications, sold under the brand names Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy, due to their ability to provide significant weight loss results. However, as these medications have gained popularity, there has been a rise in unwanted side effects, one of which is the phenomenon termed “Ozempic Face”. This term describes facial characteristics such as loss of volume in the temples, cheeks, tear troughs, jawline, and nasolabial folds that are commonly seen in patients taking semaglutide medications. Data published regarding this topic is primarily anecdotal or subjective, and therefore is limited in terms of understanding this physiological phenomenon. In this study, we plan to quantify the volumetric change in facial soft tissue for patients on GLP-1 agonists with 3D imaging systems, specifically the Vectra H system. Patients will also be surveyed to understand their perception of their facial changes and how this correlates with the VECTRA 3D analysis findings. This study will be the first prospective study of facial changes in patients on GLP-1 agonists.