Catherine Zeta-Jones and Patrick Dempsey earn top Hair Honors

Members of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) know good hair when they see it, and they like what they see in Catherine Zeta-Jones and Patrick Dempsey.

According to results released today of a new member survey conducted by the ISHRS, 43.8 percent of members voted Catherine Zeta-Jones as the female celebrity with the best tresses, while 71.5 percent of members chose Patrick Dempsey as the male celebrity with the best hair.

The spotlight will be on all things hair at the ISHRS’s 19th Annual Scientific Meeting when more than 500 physicians and surgical assistants from around the world dedicated to advancing the art and science of hair restoration are expected to attend this premier educational event, September 14-18, 2011, at the Dena?ina Civic and Convention Center in Anchorage, Alaska, USA.

This year’s scientific program, with the theme “New Vistas & Trusted Techniques in Hair Transplantation,” will feature presentations by the world’s foremost hair restoration experts on the latest research and scientific advances in diagnosing and treating hair loss.

“The growth we are seeing in hair restoration surgery is a testament to the great strides made over the years in the field and our commitment as a medical specialty to ongoing medical education and research,” said Jerry E. Cooley, MD, president of the ISHRS.  “Exciting new technologies are being investigated that will only further expand our ability to perfect the science of hair restoration and further help more people with hair loss.”

Risk of Bladder Cancer From Smoking Greater Than Previously Reported

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An analysis of data that includes nearly 500,000 individuals indicates that the risk of bladder cancer among smokers is higher than reported from previous population data, and that the risk for women smokers is comparable with that of men, according to a study in the August 17 issue of JAMA.

More than 350,000 individuals are diagnosed with bladder cancer per year worldwide, including more than 70,000 per year in the United States. Tobacco smoking is the best established risk factor for bladder cancer in both men and women, with previous studies indicating that current cigarette smoking triples bladder cancer risk relative to never smoking, according to background information in the article. “However, the composition of cigarettes has changed during the past 50 years, leading to a reduction in tar and nicotine concentrations in cigarette smoke, but also to an apparent increase in the concentration of specific carcinogens, including beta-napthylamine, a known bladder carcinogen…,” the authors write. They add that changing smoking prevalence and cigarette composition warrant revisiting risk estimates for smoking and bladder cancer.

Neal D. Freedman, Ph.D., M.P.H., of the National Cancer Institute, Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, Md., and colleagues conducted a study to examine the association between tobacco smoking and bladder cancer using data from men (n = 281,394) and women (n = 186,134) in the National Institutes of Health-AARP (NIH-AARP) Diet and Health Study, who completed a lifestyle questionnaire and were followed up between October 1995 and December 2006. Previous studies of smoking and incident bladder cancer were identified by systematic review of the available literature.

During the course of follow-up, 3,896 men and 627 women were newly diagnosed with bladder cancer. Cigarette smoking was a significant risk factor for bladder cancer in both sexes. Relative to never smokers, former and current smokers had increased risk of bladder cancer in both men and women. Analysis of the data indicated that former smokers had a 2.2 times increased risk of bladder cancer and that for current smokers, the risk was about 4 times higher, relative to never smokers. “In contrast, the summary risk estimate for current smoking in 7 previous studies (initiated between 1963 and 1987) was 2.94,” the authors write.

Ever smoking explained a similar proportion of bladder cancer in both sexes, with population attributable risks of 50 percent in men and 52 percent in women.

The researchers write that factors that may have strengthened the cigarette smoking-bladder cancer association include changes in the constituents of cigarette smoke (such as increased concentrations of beta-napthylamine), and increased awareness of bladder cancer risk in smokers, which may prompt earlier diagnostic workup.

“These results support the hypothesis that the risk of bladder cancer associated with cigarette smoking has increased with time in the United States, perhaps a reflection of changing cigarette composition. Prevention efforts should continue to focus on reducing the prevalence of cigarette smoking.”

Tests That Use DNA From Mother’s Blood to Determine Sex of Fetus Often Effective

As a noninvasive method of determining the sex of a fetus, tests using cell-free fetal DNA obtained from the mother’s blood after 7 weeks gestation performed well, while urine-based tests appear to be unreliable, according to a review and analysis of previous studies, reported in the August 10 issue of JAMA.

Noninvasive prenatal determination of fetal sex could provide an important alternative to invasive cytogenetic determination, which is currently the gold standard for determining sex and single-gene disorders. Amniocentesis has small but measurable rates of procedure-related pregnancy loss; and sonography can be performed as early as 11 weeks’ gestation to determine fetal sex, although not reliably, according to background information in the article. “The availability of a reliable noninvasive alternative to determine fetal sex would reduce unintended fetal losses and would presumably be welcomed by pregnant women carrying fetuses at risk for disorders,” the authors write.

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Botox Receives A Positive Opinion for Urinary Incontinence

- Botox injections can provide long-lasting bladder control for patients with neurogenic bladder
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Marlow, United Kingdom – Allergan is pleased to announce that BOTOX® (botulinum toxin type A) has received a positive opinion from the Irish Medicines Board for the management of urinary incontinence in adults with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) resulting from neurogenic bladder due to stable sub-cervical spinal cord injury, or multiple sclerosis. This is an important step towards securing national licences in the 14 European countries involved in the Mutual Recognition Procedure and marks a key milestone in bringing this innovative treatment to patients suffering from urinary incontinence due to neurogenic detrusor overactivity. The positive opinion is specific for BOTOX® and is based on Allergan’s successful global phase III programme.

Between 60-80% of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and 75-80% of people with spinal cord injury (SCI) will suffer from some degree of bladder dysfunction including urinary incontinence which can be distressing. Urinary incontinence in patients with MS or SCI is frequently caused by a condition called neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO), which results in involuntary contractions of the bladder during the filling stage when the bladder should be relaxed. This overactivity can lead to urinary incontinence (uncontrolled urinary leaking). Targeted injections of BOTOX® into the bladder muscle have been shown to reduce the involuntary contractions and increase bladder capacity. In turn, this reduces the number of urinary leaking episodes and may even stop leaking altogether in some patients.

In Europe, approximately 656,000 people live with MS and, on average, nearly 11,000 people are diagnosed with SCI per year. Many of these people face long-term mobility issues, yet remain professionally and socially active. Urinary incontinence can be a disabling and socially isolating condition. It is also associated with significant quality of life and emotional well-being implications such as embarrassment, low self esteem, depression and loss of independence. Other health implications of urinary incontinence in people living with MS or spinal cord injury include skin irritation and ulcers, kidney failure and recurrent urinary tract infections, which may lead to serious health consequences, if the overactivity of the detrusor muscle is not treated.

“We are pleased that BOTOX® has received a positive opinion following the Mutual Recognition Procedure for the treatment of urinary incontinence in people living with multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury,” said Douglas Ingram, President of Allergan in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. “For many people with spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis, gaining effective control over their bladder and staying dry can be a significant step towards improving daily functioning and overall quality of life. Our task now is to work closely with the national health authorities to secure the relevant national licences so that we can bring this valuable treatment option to patients, as quickly as possible.”

New Study Finds That Gastric Banding Pays for Itself In Approximately Two Years for Patients With Diabetes and Four Years for Patients Without Diabetes

- Analysis Demonstrates Gastric Banding is a Safe and Cost-Effective Weight-Loss Surgery Procedure

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Irvine, CA – Allergan, Inc. announced a new study published in the peer-reviewed journal Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases that found the cost of a gastric banding weight-loss surgery procedure, such as Allergan’s LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding System, was offset by reductions in obesity-related medical costs within 2.25 years for surgery eligible patients with diabetes, and within four years of the procedure for all surgery eligible patients.

The study evaluated healthcare claims data from 7,310 patients who had undergone gastric banding compared to claims from a matched control group of 7,306 surgery eligible obese individuals who did not have weight-loss surgery, for the purpose of quantifying the potential savings of gastric banding. The study found that while post-surgery medical costs for the gastric banding group declined slightly, medical costs for the control group continued to rise, thus resulting in significant savings for the banding sample. These findings underscore the critical effect gastric banding has on containing healthcare costs among the target population.

“Although the gastric banding procedure is associated with upfront costs, our analysis shows that those costs are recovered in a relatively short period of time, particularly for obese patients with diabetes,” said study lead author Eric A. Finkelstein, Ph.D., of Duke University and Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School in Singapore. “Although the potential for cost-savings should not drive coverage decisions, some insurance providers are hesitant to cover the costs of bariatric procedures for fear they will break the bank. These results may allay some of those concerns,” Finkelstein said.

Currently, one in three American adults is obese. Due to increased medical expenditures, absenteeism, and presenteeism (reduced on the job productivity due to health reasons), obesity now costs U.S. businesses roughly $70 billion per year. The total medical bill for the nation as a result of obesity is now projected at $147 billion per year, or nearly 10 percent of all medical expenses in the United States. This figure is projected to reach 16-18 percent of all U.S. healthcare costs in the next 20 years. Given its known correlation to life-threatening co-morbid conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and even premature death, obesity is a disease that requires medical treatment. Furthermore, medical research has found that if left untreated those individuals who are currently obese will likely remain obese, highlighting the unmet clinical need among obese patients for the availability of and reimbursement for effective treatment options.

“This study is consistent with the vast findings from the published literature that support gastric banding is an effective and safe weight-loss surgery procedure that can produce sustained weight loss, ultimately resulting in reduction of obesity-related comorbid conditions and medical costs,” said Frederick Beddingfield, M.D., Allergan’s Vice President of Clinical Research and Development. “Research of this kind is integral in our efforts as a company to ensure appropriate access to and affordability for the LAP-BAND® System procedure for patients across the country.”
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New Body Sculpting Technique uses High-Intensity Ultrasound

- Noninvasive Technique Reduces Waist Size in Nonobese Patients, Study Finds

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Arlington Heights, Ill. – A “body sculpting” technique using high-intensity focused ultrasound to eliminate unwanted abdominal fat effectively reduces waist circumference, with only minor pain and side effects, reports a study in the July issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

Body sculpting is defined as “the optimization of the smoothness, definition, or silhouette of the human physique, particularly the torso.” The most common medical procedure for body sculpting is liposuction, which can remove relatively large volumes of fat. High-intensity ultrasound provides a nonsurgical alternative to liposuction for removing unwanted fat in nonobese patients, according to the study led by ASPS Member Mark L. Jewell, MD of Oregon Health Science University, Eugene.

Body Sculpting Technique Eliminates Fat with Few Side Effects

The researchers evaluated the outcomes of high-intensity focused ultrasound for body sculpting of the abdomen and flanks in 180 patients. All patients sought treatment to eliminate excess abdominal fat; only patients who were not obese (body mass index less than 30) were eligible for the study. The average age was 42 years, and 85 percent of the patients were women.

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Breast Fat Transplantation: New Technique Doubles Breast Size

- Preoperative expansion is key to improving results of breast augmentation with fat transplantation

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Arlington Heights, Ill. – A plastic surgery procedure in which the patient’s own fat is transplanted to the breasts – used along with treatment to expand the breast tissue before surgery – can achieve up to a twofold increase in breast size, according to a study in the June issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

The procedure builds on previous fat transfer techniques to provide excellent outcomes of breast enhancement surgery. “Pre-expansion to the breast allows for mega-volume (over 300 cc) grafting with reproducible, long lasting results that can be achieved in less than two hours,” according to ASPS Members Daniel Alexander Del Vecchio, MD, Boston, and Louis Paul Bucky, MD, Philadelphia, authors of the new report.

“Pre-Expansion” Maximizes Results of Breast Fat Transfer

The technique is an adaptation of the increasingly popular autologous fat transplantation technique. In these procedures, fat obtained by liposuction from one part of the body – for example, the thighs – is transferred for use in breast enlargement and reshaping.

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2010 Top Five Male Plastic Surgery Procedures

Statistics released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) show that more men are going under the knife. Overall cosmetic plastic surgery procedures in men were up 2 percent in 2010 compared to 2009. However, many male surgical procedures increased significantly. Facelifts for men rose 14 percent in 2010 while male liposuction increased 7 percent.

2010 ASPS statistics show that men underwent more than 1.1 million cosmetic procedures, both minimally-invasive and surgical. The majority of the Men’s Top 10 fastest-growing cosmetic procedures are surgical, which bucks the previous trend of growth in minimally-invasive treatments.

“The growth in cosmetic surgical procedures for men may be a product of our aging baby boomers who are now ready to have plastic surgery,” said ASPS President Phillip Haeck, MD. “Minimally-invasive procedures such as Botox® and soft tissue fillers work to a point. However, as you age and gravity takes over, surgical procedures that lift the skin are necessary in order to show significant improvement.”

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