The Impact Of Dedicated Surgical Teams On Patient Outcomes And Healthcare Cost And Delivery: A Scoping Review With A Focus On Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery

PURPOSE: The malar region is a central determinant of midfacial aesthetics, and augmentation is frequently performed in aesthetic and gender-affirming surgery to restore youthful contour or achieve a softer midface. While alloplastic porous polyethylene (MEDPOR) implants are commonly used due to their biocompatibility, contouring ease, and long-term stability, quantitative data describing soft tissue response are limited. Prior studies largely focus on patient satisfaction, cadaveric modeling, or implant stability without objective in vivo morphometric analysis. We aimed to characterize three-dimensional soft tissue changes following malar implantation in living patients to inform surgical planning, enhance preoperative counseling, and improve predictability of aesthetic outcomes. METHODS: In this retrospective study, patients undergoing facial feminization surgery with bilateral malar MEDPOR implants at a single academic center (2022-2025) were included. Pre- and postoperative 3D photogrammetric imaging (VECTRA) and CT scans were analyzed. Malar region landmarks defined the area of interest, and software-based overlay quantified changes in projection, surface area, and volume. Implant thicknesses were 3 mm (n=9) or 5 mm (n=2). Projection changes were correlated to implant dimensions, and multivariate analyses assessed the influence of patient factors (age, BMI, skin thickness) on soft tissue response. Statistical significance was set at p RESULTS: Fifteen patients were included; 11 had postoperative imaging suitable for morphometric analysis. Mean age was 38 11 years and mean BMI 26.7 7.3 kg/m, with follow-up imaging at 14.6 17.9 months. For 3 mm implants, mean projection increased 2.84 0.25 mm, surface area by 1.55 0.85 cm, and volume by 6.66 3.03 cc (all p CONCLUSION: Malar implants provide predictable augmentation of overlying soft tissues, although projection gains may decrease with increasing patient age. These findings offer objective quantitative benchmarks to guide implant selection, enhance preoperative counseling, and improve the predictability of midfacial aesthetic outcomes. Quantitative 3D morphometric analysis may serve as a foundation for future comparative studies across implant materials and techniques.© 2026. Plastic Surgery Research Council | All rights reserved |*Source: https://ps-rc.org/meeting/Program/2026/OS39.cgi*