Chief of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery @ Stanford | Patient Care, Leadership, Research, Medical Education
Throughout my career as an academic facial plastic surgeon, I have been committed to leveraging patient outcomes data to enhance patient care. My efforts have led to numerous publications, contributing to meaningful advancements in the field. Despite some concerns that outcomes research may rigidly dictate patient treatment, these studies should be seen as an integral part of a comprehensive decision-making framework. Taking our recent study as an example, we critically assessed the benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for postoperative recovery in facial plastic surgery. Our research revealed a dearth of robust evidence supporting the efficacy of HBOT. Nevertheless, such findings do not preclude its use. In my practice, especially during revision rhinoplasty, I have observed notable improvements with the application of HBOT. This aligns with evidence from other medical domains suggesting its positive impact on wound healing. The absence of conclusive data does not dissuade us from recommending HBOT, highlighting the importance of ongoing research to solidify our clinical guidelines. It's conceivable that, in the near future, accumulated evidence may definitively confirm HBOT's value for facial plastic surgery patients. #patientoutcomes #outcomesresearch #hyperbaricoxygentherapy
