The Future Is Now

I predict we can look forward to amazing and futuristic new procedures in cosmetic surgery due to the “trickle-down theory” of scientific advancement. Thanks to the military, advances in reconstructive medicine are proliferating among a network of hospitals, universities, and researchers. This is due to the number of veterans who need reconstructive surgery. Thank goodness for this amazing cell science. As a veteran myself I am happy that other vets are getting medical care. As an Arkansas cosmetic surgeon, I look forward to new techniques, far off in the future as they may be.

The Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine (AFIRM) was created to heal the increasing numbers of disfigured soldiers returning home. After collecting a group of many prestigious hospitals and universities, the government funded this project with grants  of $289 million in order to investigate cutting edge medicine using cell science and advanced plastic surgery. Here are some of the exciting developments.

The clinical trials by Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine include:

• A clinical trial named autologous fat transfer (AFT) involves using transplanted adiposal fat to minimize and reshape scars. The idea is to prevent or disguise scar tissue by reshaping it.
• Comparing the results of sprayed on skin cells to traditional skin graphing. These sheets of skin are made in a laboratory some from left over foreskins from circumcisions.
• Research comparing the effectiveness of using  StrataGraft® skin tissue for deep burns. Traditionally deep burns have been “autografted.” This means using the patient’s own graphed skin for very deep burns. Autografting has limitations due to the limited number of sites the full thickness skin can be harvested from on the patient’s body, particularly when the burns are extensive.
• Analyzing and studying new autoimmune substances to prevent transplant rejection. This would facilitate transplants even using ears, skin, and bone grown in the laboratory!
• Work with the latest developments in stem cell from fat research which is being used for tissue regeneration. Stem cells are important because they are undifferentiated cells. Stem cells “don’t know their jobs” yet. This means they can grow into any kind of cell they are “taught” to, so to speak.
• Face transplants are being researched for veterans who have lost major facial tissue and features.

These are just some of the government sponsored programs that I believe will someday make a difference in cosmetic surgery.

For more conventional cosmetic surgery need call my office for a consultation. (501) 227-0707