The First National Survey of Endoscopic Plastic Surgery by the Japan Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 2020-2021

Abstract

Objectives: No detailed country-specific cross-sectional studies have been reported on endoscopic plastic surgery. For the first time, the Japan Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery conducted a nationwide survey to ascertain the status of endoscopic procedures in plastic surgery in Japan. This article discusses the current situation based on this survey findings. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted among 566 Japan Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery-certified training facilities regarding the status of endoscopic plastic surgery procedures completed between January 2020 and December 2021. Results: Of the 143 institutions, 33 conducted endoscopic plastic surgery operations during the period, for a total of 753 procedures. Two hundred sixty-two procedures were conducted in the craniomaxillofacial region at 19 institutions and 491 in the extremities and trunk region at 19 institutions. Five intraoperative accidents were recorded, but no cases were moved to traditional surgery based on intraoperative choices. Sixteen postoperative problems were reported, but there were no reports of fatalities. Conclusions: The number of endoscopic plastic surgery cases is anticipated to rise, and this nationwide survey will contribute to this by offering useful data and insights.

Keywords

• endoscopic surgery
• plastic surgery
• national survey
• robot-assisted surgery