American Society of Plastic Surgeons
For Consumers
 
  1. Quality

Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines

Evidence-Based Guidelines

Clinical practice guidelines are systematically developed recommendations for patient care that describe a basic management strategy – or a range of such strategies.

ASPS Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines follow a rigorous development process that includes a multi-disciplinary workgroup, management of conflicts of interest and patient input. That process can be viewed here.

Reduction Mammaplasty Revision
Published 2022

This evidence-based guideline revision was led by ASPS with stakeholder input from the American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBrS), the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and a patient representative. The work group prioritized reviewing the evidence around the need for surgery as first-line treatment, regardless of resection weight or volume. Other factors evaluated included the need for drains, the need for postoperative oral antibiotics, risk factors that increase complications, a comparison in outcomes between the two most popular techniques (inferior and superomedial), the impact of local anesthetic on narcotic use and other nonnarcotic pain management strategies, the use of epinephrine and the need for specimen pathology.

View Guideline

Eyelid Surgery for Upper Visual Field Improvement
Published 2022

This evidence-based guideline was led by ASPS, with stakeholder input from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) and the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS). The workgroup prioritized topics regarding documentation of the underlying cause for visual field impairment, selection of an appropriate surgical repair, assessment of the type of anesthesia, the use of adjunctive brow procedures and follow-up assessments.

View Guideline

Reconstruction After Skin Cancer Resection
Published 2021

This evidence-based guideline was a joint effort with ASPS, ASDS, AAD, American College of Mohs Surgery, American Society for Mohs Surgery, The AAO-HNSF, AAFPRS and ASOPRS. Given the heterogeneity of reconstructive techniques and clinical scenarios, investigation centered around common elements in the process. In some cases, a distinction was made between treatment options in the office-based setting as opposed to those in the facility setting. Final recommendations are related to concepts concerning the timing of reconstruction, management of anticoagulation, use of antibiotics, methods of pain control and follow-up assessment.

View Guideline

Autologous Breast Reconstruction with DIEP or Pedicled TRAM Abdominal Flaps
Published 2017

This evidence-based guideline is based on a systematic review of evidence and specifically addresses the complications and patient satisfaction of patients undergoing breast reconstruction with autologous abdominal flap – specifically, the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap and the pedicled transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap – to treat breast defects associated with the diagnosis or treatment of breast cancer.

View Guideline

Endorsed by the American College of Radiology and the American Society for Radiation Oncology

Guidelines in Progress

Panniculectomy and Abdominoplasty
2024

Archived Evidence-Based Guidelines

Archived guidelines are not accessible to the public, but ASPS members may download and view the documents after entering their ASPS login credentials.

Practice Parameters

Practice Parameters provide guidance or direction for the diagnosis, management and treatment of specific clinical problems. They are strategies for patient management, developed to assist physicians in clinical decision making and are based on a thorough evaluation of the scientific literature and relevant clinical experience.

Archived Practice Parameters

Archived practice parameters are not accessible to the public, but ASPS members may download and view the documents after entering their ASPS login credentials.