Evidence Base in Facial Plastic Surgery

Charles East, MB, FRCS

It has been a pleasure to pull together colleagues who have contributed to this edition of Facial Plastic Surgery. In a world where we increasingly have to justify and show the effectiveness of what we do, it is important to constantly evaluate, research, and audit our outcomes to contribute to a reliable evidence base and to improve our standards. Facial plastic surgery is undertaken by a range of specialists, and I have attempted to reflect this by inviting colleagues who are not only innovators but also leaders and teachers in our field. The articles include reviews of anatomy, modern day thinking on conservative surgery, biotechnical innovations, and propose various tools to monitor or measure our outcomes from the patients' perspective.

On a personal note, I am indebted to my colleagues in the craniofacial service, the members of our focus group the Independent Rhinoplasty Research Society, the European Academy, the Rhinoplasty Society of Europe, and all friends and colleagues who have taught and inspired me in this fascinating subject. Not least of these is my wife Lydia with whom I share my facial plastic surgery practice in London.