Microsurgery · Venous Anastomosis
Efficacy of venous coupler versus hand-sewn venous anastomosis in free-flap reconstruction: a single-centre randomized controlled trial
In a single-centre randomized trial, 140 patients underwent free-flap reconstruction with either a venous coupler or hand-sewn anastomosis. Coupling shortened mean venous anastomosis time (8.1 vs 19.2 minutes), while flap survival and thrombosis did not differ significantly; the study was not powered to establish equivalence.
Ear Reconstruction · Surgical Craft & Digital Planning
Evolution of Craft Skills in Ear Reconstruction: A Narrative Review From the Perspectives of an Anaplastologist and a Plastic Surgeon
This review follows auricular reconstruction from early skin-flap methods through refined autologous frameworks, alloplastic implants and contemporary digital or tissue-engineering approaches. CAD-CAM and 3D printing can reduce selected manual steps, but individualized planning and aesthetic judgment remain central.
Diabetic Burns · Sprayable Hydrogel
Targeting SIRT3 dysfunction with a sprayable honokiol hydrogel for diabetic burn wound repair
In cell and diabetic-burn models, a sustained-release honokiol hydrogel restored SIRT3-related mitochondrial redox signaling and reduced oxidative stress, inflammation and bacterial burden. Treatment was associated with greater angiogenesis and granulation and faster wound closure; these are preclinical results, not evidence of clinical efficacy.
Complex Chronic Wounds · Adjunctive Topical Care
Adjunctive Moist Exposed Burn Ointment for Complex Chronic Wounds: A Case Series Highlighting Clinical Improvement and Potential Tissue-Remodeling Mechanisms
A three-patient case series described smaller wound areas and improved clinical wound scores after moist exposed burn ointment was added to individualized care for diabetic and traumatic wounds. All patients also received debridement and other treatment, so the ointment’s independent contribution cannot be determined; controlled studies are needed.
Breast Reconstruction · Human Acellular Dermal Matrix
Analysis of Essence Human Acellular Dermal Matrix Compared With Other Products in Prepectoral Direct-to-implant Reconstruction
A prospective single-institution comparison included 487 patients receiving one of three human ADMs in immediate prepectoral direct-to-implant reconstruction. After adjustment, the investigators found no significant differences in modeled postoperative outcomes, including infection, seroma, skin necrosis or reconstructive failure.
Burns · Epidermal Autografting & Skin Substitute
Clinical and Financial Outcomes With Minimally Invasive Excision With Epidermal Autografting and Poly-Lactic Acid Skin Substitute in Adult Mid-Deep Dermal Burns
In a propensity-matched retrospective cohort of 39 pairs, minimally invasive excision with epidermal autografting and a poly-lactic acid substitute was associated with more patients reaching at least 90% healing by day 10 than standard care (82.1% vs 45.5%) and fewer complications. Upfront hospital costs were higher, while reimbursement was comparable.
Full-Thickness Wounds · Stem Cell–Enhanced Composite Graft
Bio-Inspired Skin Reconstruction Using Intraoperative Autologous Epidermal Stem Cell–Enhanced Composite Grafts: A Randomized Trial
In a randomized trial of 232 patients with full-thickness defects, adding intraoperatively prepared autologous epidermal stem cells to an ADM-plus-skin graft improved six-month scar scores and two-week complete healing versus the standard graft alone. The one-step cell preparation avoided prolonged laboratory expansion, supporting a clinically workable pathway for further study.
Adipose-Derived Stem Cells · Plastic Surgery Applications
Beyond lipofilling: adipose-derived stem cells in plastic surgery
This review surveys adipose-derived stem-cell biology and paracrine mechanisms across fat grafting, chronic wound repair, scar modulation and facial rejuvenation. It highlights standardization and long-term oncologic safety as unresolved issues as cell-assisted and cell-free approaches move toward clinical use.
Extracellular Vesicles · Cell-Free Wound Repair
Cell-Free Regenerative Therapies for Wound Healing and Skin Repair: The Emerging Role of Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Extracellular Vesicles
This review finds consistent preclinical signals for adipose-stem-cell extracellular vesicles in inflammation control, re-epithelialization, angiogenesis and matrix remodeling, with early human feasibility signals mostly in scars and skin aging. Human wound-care evidence remains limited, and product definition, delivery, potency testing and manufacturing need standardization before routine clinical use.
Facial Rejuvenation · Extracellular Vesicle Adjunct
Radiofrequency Microneedling Combined With Topical Extracellular Vesicle Preparation for Facial Rejuvenation: A Randomized Split-Face Controlled Study
In an unblinded split-face study of 60 adults, radiofrequency microneedling followed by topical extracellular vesicles produced greater 12-week wrinkle improvement than microneedling alone, with secondary skin-quality measures also favoring the combination. The short follow-up and lack of molecular markers make this an early benefit signal rather than proof of durable effect.
Submental Contouring · Multilayer Microneedling Radiofrequency
Treatment of Facial Contour and Localized Submental Fat Using Multilayer Microneedling Radiofrequency
Sixteen participants received three multilayer radiofrequency microneedling sessions, with ultrasound used to assess tissue thickness. The study reported significant reductions in subcutaneous and subplatysmal fat thickness, favorable contour ratings and high satisfaction; no severe adverse effects were observed.
Facial Laxity · Dual-Frequency Monopolar Radiofrequency
Objective and subjective retrospective evaluation of XERF, a novel single-shot dual-frequency non-invasive monopolar radiofrequency
A retrospective series of 16 women found objective and patient-reported improvements in facial laxity, periorbital position and several skin-quality measures after one XERF treatment, with only mild transient adverse effects reported. The small sample and retrospective design make these findings preliminary and in need of prospective controlled confirmation.
Facial Rejuvenation · HIFU & Fractional RF Microneedling
Combined Fractional Radiofrequency Microneedling and High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound with Focus Dual for Facial Skin Rejuvenation: A 37-Patient Case Series
A 37-patient observational series evaluated a six-month combination protocol of high-intensity focused ultrasound and fractional radiofrequency microneedling. Wrinkle scores improved by a median 12.1% overall, with larger changes in selected laxity-prone regions and no serious adverse events; controlled studies are still needed.
Breast Reconstruction · SVF-Enriched Fat Grafting
SVF-Enriched Versus Standard Fat Grafting for Breast Reconstruction and Augmentation: A Prospective Multicenter Comparative Randomized Study
In a six-centre randomized study of 312 patients, MRI-measured graft retention favored stromal vascular fraction–enriched fat grafting at 12 months (71.8% vs 56.4%) and 24 months (66.2% vs 49.8%). BREAST-Q scores were higher in the enriched group, while fat necrosis, oil cysts and suspicious MRI findings did not increase during follow-up.
Prophylactic Mastectomy · Implant-Free Reconstruction
Immediate breast reconstruction by exclusive autologous fat grafting after prophylactic mastectomy: A quantitative and qualitative study
This quantitative and qualitative study examines immediate reconstruction using only autologous fat after prophylactic mastectomy. The approach positions serial fat grafting as an implant-free reconstructive option; the indexed academic record did not include abstract-level outcome details.
Breast Fat Grafting · Outcomes Meta-Analysis
Autologous Fat Grafting for Breast Augmentation and Breast Remodeling: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Complications, Radiologic Outcomes, Graft Retention, and Patient-Reported Satisfaction
A meta-analysis of 40 studies and 5,684 patients estimated mean 12-month volume retention of 61.3% and satisfaction of 93.1%; pooled complications were 25.9%, mainly minor radiologic or palpable findings. Heterogeneity was substantial, and the observational evidence does not replace standardized prospective comparisons.
Robotic Microsurgery · Clinical Evidence Review
Dedicated Robotic-Assisted Microsurgery Platforms in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: A Systematic Review
This systematic review focuses on dedicated microsurgical platforms such as Symani and MUSA, synthesizing clinical outcomes, learning curves and technical features with a structured risk-of-bias appraisal. The authors frame the review as a way to clarify the evidence base for adoption, rather than as proof that robotic assistance improves patient outcomes.
Plastic Surgery Robotics · Research Landscape
Global research trends in robotic applications in plastic surgery: a bibliometric analysis
This bibliometric analysis maps the publication landscape and thematic development of robotic applications across plastic surgery. It offers a high-level view of where research activity is concentrating, complementing clinical reviews while not itself establishing comparative effectiveness.
3D Bioprinting · Adaptive Bio-Inks for Skin
Bio-inks for skin regeneration: phase-adaptive design, multifunctional platforms, and 4D bioprinting frontiers
This review links bio-ink properties to the changing biological demands of wound-healing phases and surveys multifunctional and 4D-printing approaches for skin substitutes. It identifies phase-specific bio-ink design as an underdeveloped area and outlines adaptive delivery as a research direction, not yet an established clinical treatment.