Aesthetic Surgery in Asians

Yu-Ray Chen, M.D. Léonard Bergeron M.D., C.M., M.Sc., F.R.C.S.(C)

We are grateful to have been invited as guest editors for this issue on Asian aesthetic surgery. With the economic boom seen in Asia, there is a tremendous increase in the number of cosmetic procedures being performed. Specialized cosmetic techniques have progressed accordingly and have reached a high level of sophistication. Unfortunately for our Western colleagues, most of the literature is being published in Oriental languages. The goal of this issue is therefore to share the most up-to-date concepts and controversies in cosmetic surgery.

Leading authors have put together papers on the top six cosmetic procedures performed in Asia: rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, face lift, breast augmentation, facial contouring, and correction of bimaxillary protrusion. Although the procedure names are familiar to Western surgeons, there are fundamental differences in terms of patient expectations and procedure philosophy and execution. For each operation, an overview of currently used techniques in Asia is provided, as well as a more detailed description of the surgeons' preferred technique. Authors discuss controversies and provide operative “pearls” for a successful surgery.

We are very proud of this issue as it is the most up-to-date account in the English language of cosmetic procedures for Asians that actually originates from Asia. We sincerely hope that you will enjoy reading this issue of Seminars in Plastic Surgery as much as we have enjoyed compiling and editing it.