COSM13: Complex Cases, High Stakes Pose Challenge for Plastic Surgeons

Any time the face is involved, the stakes are high for patients, and the complexity of cases means many potential pitfalls for surgeons to avoid.

ORLANDO—Facial plastic surgery and reconstruction present an array of challenges for surgeons. Any time the face is involved, the stakes are high for patients, and the complexity of the cases means many potential pitfalls for surgeons to avoid. A group of experts gave tips on avoiding these problems here at the 116th Annual Meeting of the Triological Society, held as part of the Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings. Click here to listen to the entire panel session.

Fred G. Fedok, MD, chief of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery at Pennsylvania State University in Hershey, said the most important pitfall to keep in mind in rhinoplasty is patient selection. “I think rhinoplasty actually has the biggest psychological impact of any aesthetic surgery we do,” he said. “Communication is important between you, as the surgeon, and the patient. There has to be feedback. You have to be on the same page.”