Putting It All Together: Recommendations for Pain Management in Nonsurgical Facial Rejuvenation

Are US Plastic Surgery Residents Equipped to Face the Opioid Epidemic? A National Survey

The United States opioid epidemic is among this century’s most profound threats to public health and demands that all physicians consider their role in reversing its trajectory. Previous literature demonstrated that plastic surgery trainees lack vital practices that promote opioid stewardship. However, it is not understood why this practice gap exists. This is a national survey-based study evaluating the availability and effectiveness of opioid education in US plastic surgery programs. A total of 91 residents completed the survey. Our study found that there is an unmet need for practical and comprehensive training regarding safe opioid prescribing among plastic surgery trainees. “Informal training,” defined as the “learn as you go” method, was found to be more common than formal training and considerably more valuable according to trainees. Trainees cited real-world applicability of informal training and that it comes from teachers whom they know and trust as valuable attributes of this type of education. Furthermore, the severity of the opioid epidemic has not translated into improved trainee education, as there was no significant difference in knowledge on safe opioid prescribing practices between junior and senior residents. To change the course of the epidemic, plastic surgery programs need to better train younger generations who believe they are critical stakeholders. This study lays the framework for the “formalization of informal training,” and the creation of practical and efficacious educational initiatives.

Vibration Versus Ice to Reduce Cosmetic Botulinum Toxin Injection Pain-A Randomized Controlled Trial

Botulinum toxin is the most commonly performed facial cosmetic procedure and pain at the injection site is a frequent patient concern. While various topical interventions have been described for analgesia, there have not been any studies comparing different techniques. We compared the use of a vibratory stimulus, ice pack application, and no intervention on injection site pain for cosmetic botulinum toxin injection. A prospective-, randomized-, individual-controlled study was conducted using a visual analog scale to assess pain. Patients received bilateral glabellar injections, with randomization into unilateral vibration, unilateral ice application, or vibration and ice on either side. We analyzed 88 injections on 22 patients. Mean visual analog scores were 26.5 (standard deviation [SD]: 23.1) among injections with vibration, 24.4 (SD: 22.9) with ice, and 29.4 (SD: 27.1) without analgesia. There was no significant difference in pain scale scores with the use of vibration, ice, or no topical anesthesia (P = .737). Further, pain scale scores did not differ significantly between medial and lateral injections nor did patients have a reduction in pain on either side of the forehead regardless of which method was used. While there may be a role for topical interventions to improve injection site analgesia, we maintain that consistently proper technique plays a greater role in improving patient tolerance. Future studies will continue to investigate the role of topical anesthesia in cosmetic facial injections and address patient-specific factors contributing to discomfort.